[2] The aircraft involved in the accident, a 14-year-old McDonnell Douglas DC-8F-54, registration N8053U,[3] departed O'Hare International Airport in Chicago at 22:15 CST on January 10, 1983, operating as United Airlines Flight 2894 bound for Cleveland, Ohio.

[2] The three crew members were Captain William S. Todd (55); First Officer James G. Day (51); and Flight Engineer Robert E. Lee (50).

As the wings reached an almost 90-degree bank, and at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet (300 m), the aircraft stalled and fell to the ground, exploding on impact.

The captain did not object and allowed him to perform the takeoff, contrary to both United Airlines and Federal Aviation Administration rules.

[2] The captain's decision to allow the flight engineer to perform the takeoff was considered a contributing factor in the accident.