The Sole Survivor of Flight 255 | Detroit News

On August 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255 vanished moments after takeoff from Detroit, killing all 154 aboard—including every crew member and nearly every passenger. The crash, caused by misconfigured wing flaps and a faulty cockpit warning system, sent the plane into a rental car building before exploding into flames. The sole survivor: four-year-old Cecelia Cichan, who endured horrific injuries and later shared her story in the documentary “Sole Survivor.” Each year, families gather at a solemn memorial to honor the lost and celebrate Cecelia’s miraculous survival. The flight number was retired by Northwest—and later by Delta after their merger—as a permanent tribute to the tragedy’s enduring legacy. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2274da5e29d03099