Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, operating a Boeing 727, was in the process of landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport after a flight originating in New Orleans. As the aircraft approached the airport, it faced severe wind shear caused by a microburst, a sudden and powerful downdraft associated with thunderstorms. This phenomenon, which is particularly dangerous during landing, created conditions that the flight crew was unable to manage. Just over a mile from the runway, the aircraft lost control and crashed into a nearby residential area in Queens, New York.

Onboard were 124 people, including passengers and crew members. Tragically, 113 individuals lost their lives due to the impact and subsequent fire, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in U.S. history at the time. Eyewitness accounts detail the horrifying sight of the aircraft enveloped in flames as it struck the ground. Rescue efforts were immediately launched, but the majority of fatalities were caused by the intense fire that engulfed the wreckage.

In the aftermath of the crash, a thorough investigation was conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This investigation underscored the critical need for improved understanding and awareness of wind shear effects on aircraft during takeoff and landing. The tragedy became a catalyst for decades of research into meteorological hazards in aviation, leading to advancements in detection and warning systems for pilots.