On July 19 , 1989 , a month before his fourth birthday , Bailey survived the crash landing of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City , Iowa . His brother Brandon also survived the crash , but their mother , Frances , was one of the 111 passengers who died . Bailey 's brother Trent and their father , Brownell , were not on the plane . Bailey is the subject of a famous photograph by Gary Anderson showing Lt. Colonel Dennis Nielsen carrying him to safety . A statue based on the picture is part of the Flight 232 Memorial in Sioux City 's riverfront development
United Airlines Flight 232
United Airlines Flight 232
Spencer Bailey