Yesterday was the forty-ninth anniversary of the ditching of ALM Flight 980. I was flying and unable to post anything, but I did come across a Facebook post by a gentleman who happened to be a flight attendant at ALM years after the accident. His name is Angelo Davelaar. Angelo posted several images of Margareth Abraham. For those who don’t know Margareth’s story, she was one of three ALM flight attendants who helped passengers moments before the ditching. Margareth was in the aisle assisting passengers with donning their life vests. When she glanced out the window and saw that they were close to the water, she immediately started pushing passengers who were standing back into their seats. Seconds later the plane struck the water. Margareth was thrown forward, slamming into the cockpit door. She didn’t survive. Margareth was twenty-four years old.
So, when you head to the theatre to see the latest Avengers film, think of Margareth. She is what a real hero looks like.
Thanks to Etienne La Cruz for use of the images. Note: click on an image to bring up the image gallery.
I would like to introduce myself, my name is Etienne La Cruz, now a retired ALM flight-attendant since 1999. In total I have flown for 33 years on ALM and KLM flights.
I just would like say that I have experienced this tragic accident “emotionally” very close.
The day before the accident I had these 3 crewmember on my flight to New York as “Dead heading Crew” .The day of the accident I read the news on a building on Broadway. I have written a book in Papiamentu, title of book translated in English is: “33 years on 33.000 feet” (2011). Short stories and pictures, including the pictures of late Margareth Abraham.
Two days after the accident my daughter was born in Curacao, she also became a flight- attendant for a couple of years.
My beautiful wife, Hedi, around the same age as Margareth, was lost. I managed to escape but the accident still haunts me all these years since. Our daughter, Christina became a flight attendant herself and I learned how to fly because, I’m sure, of my guilt for surviving.
Thanks for sharing. Angelo Davelaar
Emilio can you please contact me. at my email. I think you have it. I need some information urgently.