The real-life Aloha Airlines Flight 243 accident that this film is based on happened on April 28, 1988.
Ana Alicia, the actress who plays flight attendant Michelle Honda, received a lung infection and two broken ribs during the filming of Miracle Landing.
The real aircraft that was involved in the accident (N73711) was removed from service as it was a total write-off due to extensive damage. It was dismantled at it's final landing airport, (Maui) and some usable parts were checked, re-certified and reused in other similar aircraft, which is a little known but common practice for undamaged usable parts.
In real life, an FAA air traffic controller was in the flight deck jumpseat. This was not depicted in the movie.
The gentleman with a piece of plastic stuck on his face is Lawrence "Red" Carland, retired Marketing Director at Delta Air Lines. He had retired on the Big Island and was on his way back to Dallas to visit family.