U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Ramada Inn Air

Crash and Fire

Wayne Township, Indiana

USFA-TR-014/October 1987

Homeland

Security

U.S. Fire Administration Fire Investigations Program

T

he U.S. Fire Administration develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. 

The fires usually involve multiple deaths or a large loss of property. But the primary criterion 

for deciding to do a report is whether it will result in significant “lessons learned.” In some 

cases these lessons bring to light new knowledge about fire--the effect of building construction or 

contents, human behavior in fire, etc. In other cases, the lessons are not new but are serious enough 

to highlight once again, with yet another fire tragedy report. In some cases, special reports are developed to discuss events, drills, or new technologies which are of interest to the fire service.

The reports are sent to fire magazines and are distributed at National and Regional fire meetings. The 

International Association of Fire Chiefs assists the USFA in disseminating the findings throughout the 

fire service. On a continuing basis the reports are available on request from the USFA; announcements of their availability are published widely in fire journals and newsletters.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers 

who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within 

the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building 

technology, and other related areas.

The Fire Administration, which has no regulatory authority, sends an experienced fire investigator 

into a community after a major incident only after having conferred with the local fire authorities 

to insure that the assistance and presence of the USFA would be supportive and would in no way 

interfere with any review of the incident they are themselves conducting. The intent is not to arrive 

during the event or even immediately after, but rather after the dust settles, so that a complete and 

objective review of all the important aspects of the incident can be made. Local authorities review 

the USFA’s report while it is in draft. The USFA investigator or team is available to local authorities 

should they wish to request technical assistance for their own investigation.

For additional copies of this report write to the U.S. Fire Administration, 16825 South Seton Avenue, 

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727. The report is available on the Administration’s Web site at http://

www.usfa.dhs.gov/

Ramada Inn

Air Crash and Fire

Wayne Township, Indiana

Investigated by: Randolph E. Kirby

This is Report 014 of the Major Fires Investigation Project conducted

by TriData Corporation under contract EMW-86-C-2277 to the United

States Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Homeland

Security

Department of Homeland Security

United States Fire Administration

National Fire Data Center

U.S. Fire Administration

Mission Statement

As an entity of the Department of Homeland 

Security, the mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire 

and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support. 

We serve the Nation independently, in coordination with other Federal agencies, 

and in partnership with fire protection and 

emergency service communities. With a 

commitment to excellence, we provide public education, training, technology, and data 

initiatives.

Homeland

Security

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

STRUCTURES AND CODES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

OCCUPANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

THE FIRE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

OVERHAUL OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

FATALITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

INJURIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

LESSONS LEARNED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CONCLUSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

APPENDICES LIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Appendix A – List of Slides and Videotapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Appendix B – Timeline of Events Leadingto Crash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Appendix C – Main floor of ramada inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Appendix D – Fire Department’s Chronological Report Of Events. . . . . . . . . . . 14

Appendix E – inCIDENT REPORT: rAMADA iNN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Appendix F – iNCIDENT rEPORT: bANK oNE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Appendix G – fIRE seRVICE cASUALTY rEPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Appendix H – RECORD OF OCCUPATIONAL INJURY OR ILLNESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Appendix I – FIRE EQUIPMENT PLACEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Appendix J – AIRCRAFT INFORMATION SHEET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Appendix K – Airport Disaster Communications Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Appendix L – Units Used atthe Fire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Agencies Who Responded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Appendix M – WAYNE TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHER’S LOG. . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Appendix N – Emergency Evacuation Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Appendix O – Victim Autopsy Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Appendix P – Specifications Regarding Flexicore Floor Panels. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

1

RAMADA INN

AIR CRASH AND FIRE

Wayne Township, Indiana,

October 20, 1987

Local Contacts: Chief Richard Lamb

Wayne Township Fire Department

6456 West Ohio Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46241

(317) 247-8501

Chief Jim Underwood

Indianapolis Airport Fire 

Department

2500 South High School Road

Indianapolis, Indiana 

(317) 248-5089

Marshal Larry Bosell

Indiana State Fire Marshal

Suite 900

1099 North Meriden Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

OVERVIEW

On October 20, 1987, at 0911, the control tower at the Indianapolis Airport was advised by the pilot 

of an A-7D Corsair single-engine military aircraft of an intended emergency landing due to engine 

failure. The Airport Fire Department began its normal response to set up on the intended runway.

Due to low weather ceiling and poor visibility the plan overshot the intended runway, circled the airport and attempted to fly to an alternate runway. The fire department, having seen this, attempted to 

follow the aircraft. The pilot, unable to maintain altitude, ejected from the aircraft at approximately 

500 feet.

The unoccupied aircraft careened off the roof of a Bank One branch building in the 5600 block 

of Bradbury Avenue in Wayne Township, crossed the street, hit an embankment, went airborne for 

approximately 25 feet and bellied into the front of the Ramada Inn. The aircraft shattered into 

many pieces, sending the cockpit and engine into the lobby and its wings to the top of the carport 

and upper floors of the hotel, simultaneously igniting its approximately 20,000 lbs. of fuel. Nine 

employees of the hotel were killed, all in the lobby and areas adjacent to the lobby. Four non-fire-
2

fighters were injured: an employee, a visitor to the hotel, a guest, and the pilot. The visitor’s injuries 

were critical. In addition, three firefighters were injured. (See Appendix 3.)

Arriving within one minute of the aircraft’s impact, the Airport Fire Department crash crew began 

a fire suppression and rescue operation which later proved to be the most important factor in minimizing deaths and injuries.

SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES

Issues Comments

Cause of Fire Military aircraft crashed into building, igniting its fuel.

Firefighting Airport Fire Department arrived in one minute. Fire knocked down within three minutes 

– example of having right equipment at the right time.

Lack of information on whether plane was armed partially delayed search efforts. Quicker 

access to military is needed.

Building Structure Building help up well. Was soundly constructed, with masonry and fire proof steel 

components.

Flexicore concrete panels in floor/ceiling assembly helped channel heat away from fire 

source.

Double pane windows prevented fire and smoke from entering building in many areas.

Interior walls and doors restricted or impeded movement of fire and smoke.

Fire Protection Equipment Smoke alarms in each room and automatic fire alarm alerted guests and employees. There 

was no sprinkler system.

Incident Command Strong, coordinated command through most of incident.

Wayne Township Fire Department’s Disaster Plan was successfully used.

Evacuation Guests and employees evacuated on their own upon hearing fire and smoke alarms.

Difficulty in accounting for all guests and employees. 

Communications Problems with communication among fire departments, especially between vehicles.

Media Relations Wayne Township fire chief gave frequent press releases. Used media to request hotel guests 

to report in. Proactive media relations successfully minimized distraction from firefighting 

effort.

STRUCTURES AND CODES

Ramada Inn – The Ramada Inn is a 7-story brick building with 165 rooms. It is located in an area 

called Park Fletcher within the Wayne Township jurisdiction, less than one half mile from the airport, 

and in close proximity to other hotels, and manufacturing and commercial buildings. The Ramada 

has enjoyed a very good fire history and fire code compliance. It was built approximately 20 years 

ago under the I.C.B.O. code and is constructed entirely of fire resistant materials. The structure is 

steel reinforced concrete with masonry block walls between rooms, and floor-ceiling assemblies of 

Flexicore panels.
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 3

The exit corridors are at least one hour fire-rated. Each of the seven floors is served by two fire proof 

stairwells located on opposite ends of the building. The first floor is 200 feet x 100 feet; the tower 

section (second through seventh floors), is 200 feet x 40 feet. The interior finishes are primarily 

vinyl wall coverings and commercial grade wall-to-wall carpet.

The first floor exiting is by way of corridors to the east and south of the building and front lobby. 

The kitchen and banquet rooms exit directly to the outside on the south end of the building. The 

restaurant and cocktail lounge have exits directly to the outside at the north side of the building, as 

well as through the lobby. The second through the seventh floors exit through a center interior corridor to a fire tower located at each end of the corridor.

Bank One – The Bank One building, located directly across from the front entrance of the Ramada Inn, 

is a one-story building, approximately 60 feet x 60 feet. It is constructed of masonry material with a 

steel joist supported flat roof assembly. Both the bank and the Ramada Inn are on Bradbury Avenue.

OCCUPANTS

Approximately 130 guests were registered at the Ramada Inn the day of the fire plus an unknown 

number of employees. A hotel staff meeting was scheduled to take place on October 20, the day of 

the fire, but had been cancelled the day before. Therefore, not as many employees were in the hotel 

at the time of the fire as might have been.

In July of 1987, following a mattress fire, the Wayne Township Fire Department had instructed the 

employees of this hotel in fire safety. This included procedures to follow regarding fire department 

notification and building evacuation. Thus, the employees had had recent fire safety training at the 

time of the fire; none were injured after the initial crash.

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

The Ramada Inn has a six inch standpipe system with two 1-1/2-inch hose outlets located on every 

floor, one at each end of the corridor. Portable fire extinguishers are located in the same areas. The 

building is equipped with an automatic fire alarm system and smoke detectors in each room. It is 

not equipped with an automatic sprinkler system.

The water grid system servicing the area around the motel is considered very good by fire department authorities. Fire hydrants are located strategically in close proximity to the Ramada. There was 

plenty of water for firefighting.

FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING

The Wayne Township Fire Department has five fire stations with approximately 350 volunteer firefighters. The department operates ten engines, three trucks, five advanced life support units, and 

three basic life support units. It is one of the largest and best organized volunteer departments in 

the Nation.

The Indianapolis Airport Fire Department has one station with 26 firefighters, three large crash 

trucks, one rescue vehicle, and one squad vehicle. The Wayne Township Fire Department was provided disaster training at the airport in May 1987. In addition, approximately 45 firefighters from 

Wayne Township had completed an 80-hour course taught by the Airport Fire Department in Aircraft 

Crash and Rescue. Included in the 45 were four who were district chiefs or higher. The current 
4

disaster plan had been discussed with the department on Monday, October 19, the day before the 

fire, and a mock disaster drill was planned for October 31. Their thinking about handling an aircraft 

disaster was right up-to-date.

Decatur Township Fire Department, which provided mutual aid, also received training in May 

1987 at the airport firehouse. It included training on resupply and vehicle operation. In addition, 

Indianapolis, which also provided mutual aid, had several firefighters who had recently taken disaster 

management courses at the National Fire Academy.

THE FIRE

The fire originated at 0917 in the front portion of the building. Upon impact, the cockpit and 

engine components of the A-7 aircraft went into the front lobby area. The A-7 is 48 feet long and 34 

feet wide. It’s wings severed from the main body of the aircraft, slamming into an area of the building just above the carport, blowing small pieces of metal through the windows of several rooms, and 

simultaneously igniting the remaining fuel stored in multiple areas of the aircraft. A giant fireball 

momentarily engulfed the entire outside front of the hotel to about the fourth floor.

Within a minute after ignition, Airport Crash Truck 23 arrived on the scene and began attacking the 

fire with AFFF (foam) from the northwest corner of the building. Crash Truck 24 approached from 

the northeast corner of the building and joined Truck 23 in applying AFFF on the fire. Airport Unit 

27 stopped on Bradbury Avenue, which was blocked by debris from the aircraft and from the damaged Bank One building. Its crew put on airpacks and entered the west side of the building looking 

for victims. Airport Unit 25 with two emergency medical technicians (EMTs) treated a burned 

employee who was coming through the east door. Another person, who had just stopped to use the 

phone at the hotel, was very badly burned and was found lying in the grass north of the carport. He 

was transported to the hospital by a private ambulance that happened to pass by. Information was 

obtained from one of the victims that people were trapped in the laundry room.

Within approximately three minutes the main body of the fire was knocked down. The airport chief 

ordered that the Wayne Township Fire Department be advised he was setting up a command post in 

a parking lot across the street from the hotel.

A major concern of the Airport Fire Chief at this time was whether the plane was carrying any armaments. The Airport Chief advised the Wayne Township Deputy Chief of this situation and radioed 

the Indianapolis Airport Authority to ask whether the aircraft had weapons aboard. An Indianapolis 

police officer was dispatched to the hospital to interview the pilot, who had survived a low-level 

bail-out and was conscious and in good condition after a quick medical check. It was learned from 

him that there were no armaments aboard, but the delayed information had already in turn delayed 

the search for victims.

Wayne’s Deputy Chief, after being notified of the situation, immediately ordered all rescue services 

to be put on standby. He requested equipment from the Indianapolis Fire Department and the 

Decatur Township Fire Department. He further ordered that roads leading to the hotel be sealed off 

and reserved for emergency use only. He also ordered the command bus to be brought to the scene. 

He established an equipment staging area on a roadway in close proximity to the hotel.

Upon arrival of the Wayne Deputy Chief at the scene, he began directing the water resupply effort to 

the crash units. When the first Wayne rescue unit arrived, a search and rescue effort was organized 

and implemented.
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 5

When Wayne’s Fire Chief arrived at the scene, he placed his Deputy Chief at the command post while 

he began directing the fireground suppression operation. Pumpers, aerials devices, and handlines 

were strategically deployed to all sides of the building. He sent personnel to the Bank One building 

to ascertain if rescue was needed, but the Bank One building had been vacated by its six employees 

and three customers, and there were no injuries or fire present.

The Wayne Fire Chief, concerned that all hotel occupants had not been accounted for, coupled with 

the fact that he had incomplete information regarding the number of people in the hotel, ordered a 

second search of the hotel. Meanwhile, fire personnel were assisting a person from the south side 

area of the building who had jumped from a third floor room onto the first floor roof of the kitchen 

area. This person was transported to the hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and possible 

fractures.

The search of the hotel revealed that all the occupants had vacated the building. The best estimate of 

the number of registered guests was 130. However, this could not be confirmed at the time.

Approximately 25 minutes into the fire incident, the fire was essentially out with the exception of 

some scattered hot spots. Concerned with uncertain estimates and incomplete accountability of the 

occupants, the Wayne Fire Chief ordered another thorough search of the building. Assisted by the 

Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, a room to room search was implemented. This time, luggage 

tags and other paraphernalia that would identify the occupant was collected. Meanwhile, a second 

Indianapolis Ramada Inn was contacted to ascertain whether or not their registration computer system would be of help in this endeavor.

The second search turned up no occupants. As it turned out, they were part of the tremendous 

crowd that had gathered to watch the fire event. One two guests were assisted from the hotel by the 

fire department during the whole incident. The others apparently left by designated exits. The guests 

and employees who were in the restaurant, banquet rooms, and kitchen left by exit openings directly 

to the outside from these areas.

The local media was requested to broadcast announcements asking any hotel guests to call the 

American Red Cross and report their whereabouts.

A total of 88 firefighting personnel in 22 units from four departments participated in the incident. 

Another 20 agencies and businesses assisted. (See list in Appendix 12.)

OVERHAUL OPERATION

After the fire had been extinguished, the task of discovering and removing bodies was begun. Crews 

entering the lobby area began removing parts of the aircraft. They were amazed to discover the good 

condition of the main structural members of the building, given the intensity and amount of fire 

that was present in this area.

The aircraft cockpit and engine were the largest pieces of the aircraft found. Heavy equipment had 

to be summoned to remove the engine.

Three bodies were found in an area behind the reception desk on the first floor. Another body was 

found in an office behind the reception area. Two bodies were found in an office off the lobby area. 

Three bodies were found in the laundry room, located down the hall from the lobby. All fatalities 

were later identified as employees of the hotel. A temporary morgue was setup at the northeast end 

of the parking lot.
6

Overhaul of the second, third, and fourth floors, north side, revealed numerous pieces of the aircraft 

in several rooms. The main fuselage was located in the center of the building on the second floor. A 

large section which was believed to have been a part of the right wing was found on the collapsed 

carport. It still contained some fuel and had to be lifted off by use of a crane. The nose wheel and 

strut were located in the middle of Bradbury Avenue. The left main gear was located in the southwest 

corner of the Bank One parking lot. The ejection seat and canopy were located behind the bank 

building, a few hundred feet away.

FATALITIES

As stated earlier, there were nine fatalities. Four were burned beyond recognition and had to be 

identified by utilizing medical and dental records. The remaining five died essentially from smoke 

inhalation and some thermal burns. All the victims had high levels of carbon monoxide, ranging 

from 4.1 percent to 76.8 percent. Those with the higher levels were located a distance away from 

the lobby. According to the Indianapolis Medical Examiner, these high levels of CO indicate that the 

victims had a momentary awareness of what was happening.

INJURIES

Those injured by the fire included one female employee who was in the laundry room and escaped 

through the east end exit of the building. She was transported to the hospital for treatment of burns 

to the face and hands. According to Chief Lamb, she said she had run through smoke to an exit with 

which she was familiar. All of those who stayed behind in the laundry room died.

Another injury victim was a hotel guest, rescued from the kitchen roof on the south side. He was 

transported to the hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and possible fractures.

A third victim received burns over 95 percent of his body. He had entered the hotel to use the 

telephone and was outside heading toward his vehicle parked next to the carport when the plane 

crashed. He was transported to the hospital.

The pilot who parachuted from the plane landed a few blocks from the scene and was transported 

to the hospital for treatment of shock and possible muscle strains.

One firefighter from the Airport Fire Department was transported and admitted to the hospital for 

smoke inhalation. Two Wayne Township firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation and released.

The Chief of the Wayne Township Fire Department ordered a “debriefing session” for all personnel 

involved in the incident. A Wayne County psychiatrist/psychologist was asked to conduct the debriefing. He immediately began meeting with various groups and individuals to lend assistance to those 

who were having problems coping with the events. Thus far, the debriefing has proven to be invaluable 

in reducing the stress and psychological impact of the incident on the personnel involved in it.

Some of the employees who were working in the Bank One branch the day of the incident are receiving psychological counseling by a local professional.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

The fire completely gutted the lobby area and caused considerable heat and smoke damage to the 

east, center, and south exit corridors. It also destroyed some vehicles outside the hotel. Amazingly, 

the main structural members of the building survived in excellent condition. This was due in part 
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 7

to rapid extinguishment and the fact that the main steel support beams had been sprayed with what 

was believed to be an asbestos material. There was no horizontal spread of the fire except in those 

areas where doors to offices were left open. The corridor walls and doors did an excellent job in fire 

containment.

The floor assembly, constructed of Flexicore concrete panels, withstood tremendous heat without 

any apparent structural failure. It is believed that this is due in part to the built-in cavities of the 

panels which may have distributed heat away from the source to a larger portion of the building.

Eight rooms on the upper floors were considerably damaged as a result of fire penetration from the 

outside, including from the fireball after the crash. There was no fire penetration from the inside of 

the building, floor to floor. The double glass panels used in the windows held up very well. In many 

places the inner glass remained intact even though the outer pane broke; fire and smoke did not get 

into those rooms. (Double pane windows also proved effective in the Pebble Beach Urban Wildlands 

Fire.1) Some exceptions, of course, were where pieces of aircraft knocked windows out. There was 

extensive smoke damage in the building.

Separation walls, corridor walls, and doors also did exceptionally well in this incident. There were 

no noted failures of the components except where the force of flying debris in the area of impact 

caused failure.

The roof of the Bank One building was struck by the plane’s landing gear, which caused about 40 

percent of the roof on the southwest side to collapse. There was no fire in this building.

The military aircraft, which was completely destroyed, was valued at 7.9 million dollars.

A final dollar loss estimate for the damage to Bank One and the Ramada Inn buildings was not available at the time this report was written, but was thought to be several hundred thousand dollars, and 

lower than expected considering that a plane crashed into the building with fuel on board.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Effective Disaster Plan – The outcome of this fire illustrates the necessity of having a well-designed 

disaster plan and incident command system that is frequently practiced by all people and departments involved. The Wayne Township and Indianapolis Airport Fire Departments were well prepared for the type of incident that occurred.

2. Rapid Response – The almost immediate fire suppression activities by the Indianapolis Airport 

Fire Department halted the spread of the fire, minimizing further building damage and most 

probably preventing further injuries and loss of life. The one minute response time was possible 

because they literally saw the crash coming. The first vehicles in also had clear access to get close 

to the fire.

3. Pre-fire Planning – Familiarization and pre-fire planning for selected high risk properties in one’s 

jurisdiction is an essential part of any effective emergency plan. Emergency personnel must 

know in advance, in so far as possible, what they might expect during an emergency. This function must be an on-going program with continuous updating.

1Urban Wildlands Fire, Pebble Beach, California, USFA Fire Investigation Technical Report Series, U. S. Fire Administration, 

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emmitsburg, Maryland.
8

4. Leadership – As with any emergency operation, the successful outcome will depend on the competency of its fireground commanders. A continuing in-service training program for both officers and firefighters is crucial. Disaster situations, above all, require strong, aggressive, and 

competent leaders, as were present at this incident.

5. Inter-jurisdiction Mutual Aid Cooperation – As proven again in this incident, the immediate response 

of mutual aid departments without hesitation or confusion was a key factor that influenced the 

successful outcome. Four fire departments cooperated in this incident. In large disasters, additional resources often will be needed.

6. Construction and Inspection – Fire department influence on the design and construction of buildings also is crucial. Good construction enhances favorable emergency outcomes.

An ongoing, thorough, and effective plans review and building inspection program must be 

continually employed. In this case the hotel’s fire defenses were in good condition and did their 

job. The superb construction of the building played an important role in preventing the upward 

spread of the fire from floor to floor. The fireproof coating of steel members prevented warping 

or distortion, thereby preventing any structural failure. The Flexicore concrete panels probably 

helped dissipate the heat from the fire. The double panel windows appeared to have prevented 

smoke and fire from entering several rooms.

7. Military Liaison – A large part of the Nation is exposed one way or another to hazardous military 

cargo. Immediate contact with the military must be established to enable emergency services to 

assess the risk when such cargo is involved in a fire. If the pilot had not been available for questioning, there would have been a long delay in determining what was on the plane. As it was, 

there was some delay. Also, some incorrect information was received from Air Force personnel 

on the scene as to the presence of armaments, according to Chief Lamb. It was difficult initially 

even to find out where the plane had come from to seek additional information on it.

8. Media Relations – Good relations with the media can be used to communicate with victims or 

survivors, and keep the media from adding to the problem faced. Early in the fire, Wayne’s Fire 

Chief requested the media to broadcast an appeal to the hotel guests to report their whereabouts 

so they could be accounted for. The Chief also called several timely press conferences and gave 

press releases regarding the status of the incident. This allowed him to choose the times to deal 

with the press, instead of having them compete for his time and be a distraction.

CONCLUSION

The early arrival of proper firefighting equipment and well trained officers and firefighters of both 

the Indianapolis Airport Fire Department and Wayne Township Fire Department were the main factors in the relatively successful outcome of this disaster. Their quick and efficient actions and strong, 

aggressive leadership minimized what might otherwise have been a major catastrophe. This outstanding effort was supported by the Indianapolis and Decatur Township Fire Departments, Indiana 

State Fire Marshal’s Office, and several other city, State, and Federal agencies, which is testimony to 

the teamwork and esprit de corps displayed in this community. 
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 9

APPENDICES

A. List of Slides and Videotapes, with a Diagram Showing Where Slides Were Taken. 

(Slides & tapes are included with the master report at the U.S. Fire Administration.)

B. Map of the Indianapolis Airport Region Showing “Jet Firefighter’s Route” and Timeline of 

Events Leading to Crash.

C. Plan of Main Floor Showing Location of Bodies.

D. Fire Department’s Chronological Report of Events.

E. Wayne Township Incident Reports (Hotel and Bank Building).

F. Wayne Township Fire Service Casualty Reports.

G. Wayne Township Civilian Casualty Reports.

H. Indianapolis Airport Fire Department Record of Occupational Injury or Illness.

I. Diagram of Placement of Fire Equipment.

J. Aircraft Information Sheet.

K. Airport Disaster Communications Plan.

L. Units Used at the Fire and Agencies Who Responded.

M. Wayne Township Fire Department Dispatcher’s Log.

N. Emergency Evacuation Diagram for Ramada Inn Guests.

O. Victim Autopsy Reports. (Included in master copy only.)

P. Strescon Industries Specifications Regarding Flexicore Floor Panels.
10

Appendix A

List of Slides and Videotapes

(Slides & tapes are included with the master report at the U.S. Fire Administration.)

Slides Description

1 North side of Ramada on fire prior to fire department arrival.

2 Extinguishing operation begins by Foxtrot (crash truck) approximately one minute after plane impact.

3 Members of Airport Fire Department advancing handlines on top of carport.

4 Fire condition to front of building approximately three minutes after plane impact.

5 Vehicle burning at east side of carport.

6 Building debris and parts of aircraft on Bradbury Avenue and Ramada parking lot.

7 Destruction to roof of Bank One.

8 Damage to Bank One ceiling and roof assembly as seen from the outside.

9 North side of Ramada after fire knocked down.

10 Fire and impact destruction to carport.

11 Damage to concrete column caused by impact of aircraft wings.

12 Fire and smoke damage to north side of building.

13 Damage to outer layers of glass in windows.

14 South side of building after fire.

15 East side of building after fire.

16 West side of building after fire.

17 Fire damage to front lobby area.

18 Damage to carport from inside building.

19 Condition of main steel support beam.

20 Fire damage to lobby from different angle.

21 Door and corridor walls, second floor, after fire.

22 Removal of parts of aircraft from lobby and carport areas.

23 Airport unit fighting fire with handline from atop partially collapsed carport.

24 Fires burning immediately after impact, before first airport unit arrives.

Videotapes

Excerpts from news reports live from the scene and news summaries.

Raw footage by cameraman from State Fire Marshal’s Office.
11

Appendix B
12 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix B (Continued)

Timeline of Events Leading to Crash

1. 0914 Ground Control advised aircraft is 4 miles out.

2. 0915 Ground Control advised aircraft above the airport about 2000 feet. Thirty seconds later 

Ground Control sees him beyond and to the right of Runway 4-L.

3. At this time all Foxtrot equipment is proceeding northeast on taxi way heading for the terminal 

area.

4. 0916 Ground Control advised something just happened. He just fired the rockets off. He just 

went down. He’s on fire. He just blew up behind the Hilton.

Note: It was later learned that there were no armaments on the aircraft. What looked like rockets firing was actually the 

pilot ejecting from the plane.

Ground Control advised the aircraft is behind the Ramada Inn and there is fire on the canopy 

roof.

5. 0917 Plane’s left landing gear hits the roof of Bank One building.

6. Plane hit grass area across from Bank One and goes airborne for approximately 125 feet slamming into front lobby and carport area of the Ramada Inn.
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 13

Appendix C
14

Appendix D

Fire Department’s Chronological Report Of Events

Ramada Inn Disaster – October 20, 1987

0911 - The FAA Control Tower notified the IAAFD via direct line of a military A-7 making an emergency landing with a flame-out on R/W 31.

0912 - The IAAFD began their normal response to set up on runway 31.

0913 - The FAA ground controller advised IAAFD via radio we are changing to runway 41.

0914 - Ground control advised aircraft is 4 miles out.

0915 - Ground control advised aircraft above the airport about 2000 feet. Thirty seconds later 

ground advised we got him – now he’s over to the right.

Note: At this time all Foxtrot equipment is proceeding N.E. on taxiway A heading for the terminal area.

0916 - Ground control advised something just happened. He just fired the rockets off. He just went 

down. He’s on fire. He just blew up behind the Hilton.

304, advised Foxtrot 20 to remain on the airport and return to the firehouse.

Ground control advised the aircraft is behind the Ramada Inn, and there is fire on the roof.

304 called Wayne Township Fire Department for assistance via a scanner radio located in 

Foxtrot 21.

Foxtrot 23 and 27 took the Park Fletcher exit off of Airport Expressway while Foxtrot 21, 24, 

and 25 took the Lynhurst exit off Airport Expressway.

0917 - Vehicles arrive on the scene.

Foxtrot 23 sets up on the N.W. corner of the building and immediately starts applying AFFF 

to the fire.

Foxtrot 27 stops in the street which was blocked by debris from the aircraft and the crew 

starts to put on airpacks and grab some forcible entry tools. They start entry into the building 

on the west side looking for victims.

Foxtrot 24 sets up on the N.E. corner of the building and immediately starts applying AFFF 

to the fire.

Foxtrot 25, with two EMTs, started to treat burn victims coming out of the east door. A burn 

victim advised there were two people trapped in the laundry room. 354 went back to the 

east door to try and enter but flames kept him back and he was forced to stay outside the 

building.
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 15

351 got out of Foxtrot 21 and started scene command, directing FT 23 and 24 where to 

knock down the fire.

304 repositioned Foxtrot 21 to setup a command post while contacting IAA dispatch to start 

the Single 16 disaster plan in motion.

0918 - 304 radioed Wayne Township Fire Department that a command post had been established in 

the parking lot across the street from the Ramada, and that the first arriving engines are to 

lay hose into the back of the airport crash trucks to resupply.

0920 - Wayne Township E-11 arrived and started resupplying FT 23.

Wayne Township E-2 arrived and started resupplying FT 24.

Wayne Township Fire Department notified gas company and IPALCO.

Wayne Township notified Indianapolis Fire Department of aircraft into building.

0921 - Wayne Township E-9, E-10, and Car 2 arrived on the scene.

304 advises Wayne’s Car 2 of the situation and radioed IAA dispatch to try and find other 

whether this aircraft had any weapons on board.

0922 - Wayne Car 2 ordered all incoming apparatus to stage at Airport Expressway and the Bradbury 

exit ramp.

0924 - Wayne Medic 9 arrived on the scene.

0924 - Manpower was organized to start a room by room, floor by floor, search.

0925 - 304 radioed IAA dispatch to call Indianapolis Fire Department and have them stage at the 

Expressway and Bradbury.

0926 - Indianapolis Fire Department E-18 arrived on the scene, followed by E-19, and E-13.

0928 - 304 radioed IAA dispatch to make sure emergency management had been notified.

Appendix D (Continued)
16

Appendix E
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 17

Appendix E (Continued)
18

Appendix F
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 19

Appendix F (Continued)
20

Appendix G
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 21

Appendix G (Continued)
22 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix G (Continued)
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 23

Appendix G (Continued)
24 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix G (Continued)
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 25

Appendix G (Continued)
26 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix G (Continued)
27

Appendix H
28

Appendix I
29

Appendix J

Aircraft Information Sheet
30

Appendix K

Airport Disaster Communications Plan
31

Appendix L

Units Used at the Fire

Equipment Personnel

Wayne Township: 3 engines 12

1 truck 4

7 ambulances 14

4 chief officers 4

Airport Fire: 2 crash trucks 8

1 chief 1

1 heavy rescue 3

1 squad (EMS) 2

Indianapolis Fire: 4 engines 16

2 trucks 8

1 squad 2

1 tactical squad 6

1 chief officer 1

Decatur Township: 2 engines 8

1 ambulance 2

1 chief officer 1

Totals: 9 engines, 3 trucks, 9 ambulances, 

2 crash trucks, 1 heavy rescue, 92 

personnel
32 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix L (Continued)

Agencies Who Responded:

Wayne Township Fire Department Wishard Ambulance

Perry Township Ambulance Indiana State Police

Air Ambulance Salvation Army

M.C. Sheriff Department Dominos Pizza

American Red Cross F.B.I.

Ameritek Indianapolis Fire Department

Environmental Air Pollution Lifeline Helicopter

Emergency Management – Civil Defense E.M.A.S. Ambulance

Hardees Indianapolis Police Department

Decatur Township Fire Department Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office

Washington Township Fire Department Marriott Corporation

Adams Mark Hotel McDonald’s 
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 33

Appendix M
34 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix N

Emergency Evacuation Diagram
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 35

Appendix O

Victim Autopsy Report

(Included in master copy at U.S. Fire Administration only.)
36 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix P

Strescon Industries

Specifications Regarding Flexicore Floor Panels

SECTION 5 – CHAPTER 1: FLOOR FINISHES
USFA-TR-014/October 1987 37

Appendix P (Continued)
38 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix P (Continued)