May 26, 1979 will be remembered as one of the saddest days on the calendar in many homes and families in this generation.
It was Saturday afternoon, and American Airlines flight 191 took off at 3:02 from O’Hare Airport on a nonstop flight to Los Angeles. As the giant DC-10 jet liner left the ground at more than 200 miles per hour, the left wing engine dropped off onto the concrete runway and bounced in a spurt of flame. The plane continued to climb to an altitude of about 200 feet, then went into a deep bank, cartwheeled in midair, and crashed in a billow of flames less than a mile from the runway.
Not one survivor!-273 lives lost, including two killed on the ground —the largest death toll in United States aviation history.
One of the many stories that has come out of this dreadful tragedy is about two young ladies who met for the first time—and the last—at the airport just before the fatal crash. One was a Christian and she told a reporter, “My parents wired me the money to purchase a plane ticket and fly home for summer vacation. I packed my clothes and said goodbye to my friends. My roommate drove me to the airport and I was waiting to board the plane.”
She was booked to fly on Flight 191, and while waiting she met another young lady also traveling to California. They were to fly on different flights. The Christian girl was scheduled for the earlier 191 flight.
As the two of them sat and talked, the Christian girl discovered that her new friend had an important appointment and needed to arrive earlier than she was scheduled. The Christian girl thought for a moment and said, “I have an idea! I don’t need to be at home at any certain time. All I would need to do would be to call my folks and let them know I will arrive later. You can go in my place, and I will go in yours.” Her friend was delighted and thankfully agreed to it immediately.
The girls made the necessary arrangements with the airline officials and the exchange was made. Shortly after the one boarded the earlier plane and the other waited for the later flight.
It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that the young Christian who had so graciously given her seat to her companion learned of the terrible tragedy. She knew that God had chosen to spare her life.
Doubtless one of the first thoughts to enter her mind was, “Did the young girl who took my seat go to heaven or to hell?” And, dear rear, if you had been on that ill-fated plane, where would you be today?
If you are unsaved, we would urge you to come to the Saviour now. Make no delay. Here in His Word He has shown us the way.
ML-09/09/1979