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9/11 Survivor's Second Tragedy on Flight 587
13 Nov
Summary
- Hilda Mayol survived the World Trade Center attack but perished on Flight 587.
- Flight 587 crashed two months after 9/11 due to pilot error.
- Her family is sharing her story 25 years after the crash.
Hilda Mayol survived the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. Covered in dust and debris, she made her way home to her family, including her two young children. Her resilience was put to the ultimate test just two months later.
On November 12, 2001, Hilda boarded American Airlines Flight 587 to visit her children in the Dominican Republic. The Airbus A300 crashed shortly after departing from JFK Airport, claiming the lives of 265 people, most of whom were from the Dominican Republic.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the crash was caused by pilot error, specifically unnecessary rudder movements that tore off the tail. Hilda's daughter, Yari, who was only 10 months old at the time, now 25, is sharing her mother's story for the first time publicly.
Her family remembers Hilda's strength and kindness. A memorial in Belle Harbor, New York, bears her name, commemorating her life and the tragic loss on Flight 587.
