Amazing American – Plane Crash Shaped Host’s Passion For Life, Broadcast Career

Amazing Americans host Jerry Schemmel nearly lost his life in a horrific airplane crash in July 1989. It was a profoundly impactful event in his life, and career, as The Topeka Capital-Journal reflects with Jerry, 30 years after United Airlines Flight 232 crashed in Sioux City, Iowa. The DC-10 carrying Schemmel and 295 others “lost hydraulic power and a rear engine exploded. It crashed in cartwheels through a cornfield.” 112 people died in the accident. It would have been 113, if not for the brave action Jerry took that today.

Plane crash shaped Schemmel’s passion for life, broadcast career
July 12, 2019