Asiana Plane Crash Timeline: Investigation Continues

San Francisco International Airport erupted into chaos as Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed into Runway 28L on Saturday, July 6. 

Day 1, July 6: The Crash

Two were killed and over 180 were injured, and sent to hospitals all over the Bay Area. The number in critical condition decreased from four people to three people. 

Flights in and out of SFO were canceled or severely delayed, and traffic on US Highway 101 was snarled. But simultaneously prayers and support poured in from around the internet. 

The world was watching SFO, and family members and friends of those affected by the crash expressed their concern. Witnesses in a nearby United plane described the harrowing site. 

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Gov. Jerry Brown and local politicians expressed their deepest condolences for the victims and their families. 

Speculation of the crash's cause was rampant even on Day 1, with famous Pilot Chesly "Sully" Sullenberger said construction at SFO may have been a factor in the crash. 

The Red Cross said blood donors were needed to aid the passengers who suffered injuries in the crash. 

Day 2, July 7: "This could have been much worse." 

Two Chinese 16-year-old girls: Wang Linjia and Ye Mengyuan, were killed. They were on an English-learning summer camp headed for Southern California. 

The world learns that many passengers suffered spinal injuries and paralysis. More witness accounts came pouring in. 

The National Transportation Safety Board begins its investigation and provides a first scene update. Another update reveals one teen could have been run over by a fire truck and killed.  

Day 3, July 8: The pilot was in training
A witness catches the entire crash on video.

The NTSB began interviewing the four Asiana pilots. First responders recount their experience at the scene. 

Reports surfaced of high rates at hotels, but other Bay Area hotels were offering discounted rates for stranded passengers.   

The Chinese consul general in San Francisco met with the 16 students in the student group. 

Further investigation revealed that the pilot flying the Asiana plane was in training and this was his first time landing at SFO in a Boeing 777.

Day 4, July 9: Flight 214 was flying too slow

The NTSB said the Asiana Flight 214 was flying 40mph too slow.

In the middle of the investigation, a pilots' union criticized the NTSB for releasing preliminary info. 

Many passengers still remained at Bay Area hospitals recovering from injuries. 

Day 5, July 10: The families arrive

Families of the victims began to arrive in San Francisco, while others decided it was time to return to their own countries. 

Flights still remained canceled, but Patch published a "how to survive a plane crash" guide for concerned passengers. 

Four passengers still remained in critical condition in hospitals around the Bay Area. 

Crews began clearing debris at SFO, but passengers still remained spooked by the scene on Runway 28L. 

The Bay Area community has volunteered to help the victims in any way they can, including a "sweet" surprise.

Day 6, July 11: Evacuation was delayed by 90 seconds

The NTSB revealed that the plane was only 500 feet from the runway before pilots made any comments about the speed of the plane. Passengers were told not to evacuate the plane immediately, and did not do so until 90 seconds after the crash. 

The number of passengers in critical condition dropped to three. 


Day 7, July 12: Third fatality; Confirmed - the girl was killed by a fire truck

Police report that one of the two 16-year-old girls killed in the incident was run over by a fire truck. 

Released 911 tapes also reveal that some passengers had not been tended to until 20 minutes after the crash. 

The runway could re-open as soon as Saturday, and the Blood Centers of the Pacific and Stanford Blood Bank will hold a blood drive on Monday. 

A third victim succumbed to injuries from the Asiana crash, according to San Francisco General Hospital. The little girl's family ask that her age not be released.

The West Valley Christian School in Southern California--the destination of the Chinese students--is raising money to replace the luggage of Asiana Flight 214 passengers. 

The Chinese student group headed for Southern California for a three-week summer camp has since left for China on Air China Flight 986. 

Day 8, July 13: KTVU reports false pilot names  

The NTSB said that an intern had overstepped authority and given false names to television station KTVU. 

Day 9, July 14: Victim identified as Chinese national

The third victim on Asiana Flight 214 was identified as a Chinese teenager. 

Day 12, July 17: Asiana sued

A mother and son who were passengers on Asiana Flight 214 sue Asiana Airlines for emotional distress and physical injuries. 

Day 14, July 19: Officials confirm victim was killed by fire vehicle

San Mateo County coroner confirmed that 16-year-old victim had survived the plane crash, but was then fatally struck by a fire vehicle. 

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee extended his condolences to the family.