The Miracle at Gottröra

On December 27, 1991, SAS Flight 751 lost both engines shortly after takeoff from Stockholm due to ice ingestion. What followed was an extraordinary emergency landing in a snow-covered field that saved all 129 people aboard, defying the odds in what many consider a miraculous outcome.

The Flight

SAS Flight 751:

• Stockholm to Warsaw
• MD-81 aircraft
• 129 passengers and crew
• Winter morning
• Routine departure

The Takeoff

December 27, 1991:

• 8:47 AM
• Stockholm Arlanda
• Clear ice on wings
• Ground crew de-iced
• Appeared normal

The Problem

Unknown to crew:

• Clear ice remained
• On wing surfaces
• Near engine intakes
• Would break loose
• On rotation

Engine Failure

During climb:

• Both engines ingested ice
• Compressor stalls
• Lost thrust
• Violent shaking
• Emergency declared

The Pilots

Captain Stefan Rasmussen:

• Experienced pilot
• Quick assessment
• No power available
• Must land immediately
• Split-second decisions

First Officer

Ulf Cedermark:

• Called mayday
• Worked with captain
• Coordinated efforts
• Professional response
• Team effort

The Situation

Impossible scenario:

• Both engines failed
• Low altitude
• Over forest
• No airports near
• Seconds to decide

The Decision

Rasmussen chose:

• Open field ahead
• Only option
• No engine restart
• Glide to landing
• All or nothing

The Approach

The aircraft:

• Descended rapidly
• Controlled glide
• Lined up field
• Gear down
• Flaps extended

The Landing

Into the field:

• Touched down hard
• Hit trees first
• Aircraft broke up
• Three sections
• Slid through snow

The Breakup

Aircraft separated:

• Tail section
• Mid section
• Nose section
• Absorbed impact
• Saved lives

Survival

Remarkably:

• All 129 survived
• Serious injuries to some
• No fatalities
• Against all odds
• True miracle

Emergency Response

Rescuers arrived:

• Quick response
• Passengers evacuated
• Medical treatment
• Coordinated rescue
• Professional handling

Injury Assessment

Of 129 aboard:

• 92 injured
• Many minor
• Some serious
• None fatal
• Incredible outcome

The Investigation

Swedish authorities:

• Examined wreckage
• Interviewed crew
• Analyzed data
• Determined cause
• Clear ice

Design Changes

After investigation:

• Engine modifications
• De-icing procedures improved
• Industry-wide changes
• Safety enhanced
• Lessons learned

Hero Pilots

Rasmussen and Cedermark:

• Praised worldwide
• Exceptional skill
• Saved all lives
• National heroes
• Deserved recognition

Why Miracle?

Called miraculous:

• Dual engine failure
• Low altitude
• Forest terrain
• Zero fatalities
• Statistically impossible

Engineering Factor

The breakup:

• Actually helped
• Energy absorption
• Controlled failure
• Design feature
• Unintended benefit

Snow Cushion

The snow:

• Softened landing
• Reduced friction
• Absorbed energy
• Winter advantage
• Lucky factor

Media Coverage

Story spread:

• International news
• Survival miracle
• Pilot heroism
• Aviation milestone
• Public fascination

Documentary

The event:

• Extensively documented
• Air crash investigation
• Training material
• Aviation history
• Preserved story

Significance

Gottröra is significant for:

• Dual engine survival
• Zero fatalities
• Pilot skill
• Safety improvements
• Aviation miracle

Legacy

The Miracle at Gottröra stands as one of aviation’s most remarkable survival stories. The combination of pilot skill, aircraft design, and fortunate circumstances created an outcome that defied probability and saved every life aboard.