The Definitive Answer: Is Priscilla Tirado Still Alive? A Biography Of The Air Florida Flight 90 Survivor

The question of "Is Priscilla Tirado still alive?" has a definitive and recent answer. For decades, the name Priscilla Tirado was synonymous with survival, tragedy, and one of the most iconic rescue images in American history. As of today, December 12, 2025, we can confirm that Priscilla Tirado (née Lopez), the woman who survived the catastrophic 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash, passed away peacefully at her home in Florida in 2022. Her passing closed the chapter on a life marked by unimaginable loss and enduring resilience.

The quest for her current status is driven by the sheer drama of her story: a young woman pulled from the icy, debris-filled Potomac River after a plane crash that claimed the lives of 78 people, including her entire immediate family. Her legacy is one of the most compelling narratives of human strength against overwhelming odds, making the final details of her life a matter of deep public interest. This article provides a comprehensive look at her biography, the disaster that defined her, and the life she built afterward.

Priscilla Tirado: A Life Defined by Survival and Loss (1935–2022)

Priscilla Tirado's life story is inextricably linked to the tragedy of Air Florida Flight 90, but her journey extended far beyond that single, harrowing day. Her biography highlights a woman who faced the worst kind of trauma and found a way to continue living a meaningful life.

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• Full Name: Priscilla Tirado (née Lopez)
• Born: 1935
• Died: September 12, 2022
• Age at Death: 87
• Place of Death: Coral Springs, Florida
• Defining Event: Survivor of the Air Florida Flight 90 crash on January 13, 1982
• Family Lost in Crash: Her husband, José Tirado, and their two-month-old son
• Rescue Hero: Pulled from the Potomac River by civilian hero Lenny Skutnik
• Post-Crash Life: Moved to Florida; worked with homeless animals

The Air Florida Flight 90 Disaster: A Day in the Icy Potomac

To understand the depth of Priscilla Tirado's story, one must revisit the events of January 13, 1982. On that day, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737, took off from Washington National Airport (now Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Due to a combination of pilot error and severe winter conditions, the plane failed to gain altitude, crashing into the 14th Street Bridge and plunging into the frozen Potomac River.

The Immediate Aftermath and The Fight for Life

The impact was catastrophic. Of the 79 people on board, only five passengers and one flight attendant initially survived the crash and the subsequent plunge into the frigid water. Priscilla Tirado was among this small group of survivors, but her situation was dire. She was described as panicked, disoriented, and covered in jet fuel, struggling to stay afloat in the near-freezing water amidst the wreckage.

She was adrift in the icy river with the other survivors: Joe Stiley, Nikki Felch, Kelly Duncan, Bert Hamilton, and the sixth survivor, Arland D. Williams Jr., who tragically sacrificed his life by repeatedly passing the lifeline to others before succumbing to the cold. The heroism displayed that day, both by the passengers and the rescuers, became a national story of courage and selflessness. The sheer topical authority of this event continues to draw historical interest, especially regarding the fate of its key figures.

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The Iconic Rescue by Lenny Skutnik

The moment that cemented Priscilla Tirado's face in the public memory was her dramatic rescue. As a US Park Police helicopter attempted to hoist her out of the water, she lost her grip on the lifeline. In a spontaneous act of bravery, a government employee named Lenny Skutnik, who was watching the scene from the shore, plunged into the river to pull her to safety. This image of a civilian hero risking his life to save a stranger became a powerful symbol of hope and human connection in the face of disaster. Skutnik was later honored by President Ronald Reagan, and the "Lenny Skutnik" act became a cultural reference for everyday heroism.

Life After the Potomac: Finding Peace in Florida

The trauma of the crash left an indelible mark on Priscilla Tirado. Not only had she faced a near-death experience, but she had also lost her husband, José, and their two-month-old infant son. The loss of her entire immediate family was a burden she carried for the rest of her life.

Coping with Unimaginable Loss

In the years following the disaster, Tirado sought a quieter life away from the spotlight. She eventually moved to Florida, a common destination for her fellow survivors. While some survivors, like Joe Stiley, occasionally spoke about the incident, Tirado was known to be more private, often expressing a reluctance to discuss the horrific events of that day.

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To cushion the profound loss she experienced, Priscilla Tirado dedicated her time and energy to a cause close to her heart: working with homeless animals. This work provided a sense of purpose and a path toward healing, allowing her to channel her compassion and resilience into helping vulnerable creatures. This shift from human tragedy to animal welfare is a testament to her enduring spirit.

The Legacy of the Survivors

Priscilla Tirado’s death in 2022 at the age of 87 means that the number of original Air Florida Flight 90 survivors continues to dwindle. The story of the six people who initially survived—Priscilla Tirado, Joe Stiley, Nikki Felch, Kelly Duncan, Bert Hamilton, and Arland D. Williams Jr.—remains one of the most studied and referenced case studies in disaster management and human psychology. Their collective experience provides a deep well of information on post-traumatic stress, resilience, and the long-term impact of catastrophic events. The fact that she lived a long life after such a traumatic event speaks volumes about the human capacity to endure.

In conclusion, the answer to "Is Priscilla Tirado still alive?" is no, but her legacy as a survivor and a symbol of human endurance certainly is. She passed away peacefully in 2022, having lived a full life that, despite being shadowed by tragedy, was ultimately defined by her survival and quiet dedication to helping others.