Air France Flight 117 crashes in Guadeloupe
June 22nd, 1962
June 22nd, 1962
How Long Ago?
62 years, 8 months, 21 days ago
Location
Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
Links & References
Tags
Air France Flight 117 crashes in Guadeloupe
On approach to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, Air France Flight 117 crashed into the sea, resulting in the loss of 112 lives. The aircraft, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, was on a flight from the French city of Orly to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe when it encountered severe weather conditions near its destination. The crew attempted to divert, but ultimately lost control and crashed shortly before landing.
Flight operated by Sud Aviation Caravelle.
Encountered severe weather on approach.
112 fatalities with no survivors.
Contributed to increased safety regulations.
What Happened?
Air France Flight 117 was a scheduled passenger flight that tragically ended in disaster while approaching Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe. The aircraft involved, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, was en route from Orly Airport in Paris to the Caribbean island, which was a popular vacation destination. On approach, the flight encountered severe weather, including thunderstorms and turbulent conditions that heavily impacted visibility and handling characteristics. Despite the crew's efforts to maneuver the aircraft safely, the sudden adverse weather proved too challenging. Reports indicate that the captain tried to execute a go-around maneuver but lost altitude rapidly before crashing into the sea about 2 miles from the airport. Search and rescue operations were immediately initiated, but sadly, no survivors were found among the 112 passengers and crew onboard. This crash marked one of the significant aviation accidents of the era and raised awareness and discussions around aviation safety, particularly concerning flight operations in inclement weather.
Why Does it Matter?
The crash of Air France Flight 117 led to an increased scrutiny of airline safety protocols, particularly those involving weather assessments during landing. The incident contributed to more stringent regulations and training for pilots concerning severe weather navigation and emergency protocols. It served as a grim reminder of the potential dangers of air travel and highlighted the importance of advanced forecasting technology in aviation.
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