Allegheny Airlines Flight 485 Crash Details
June 7th, 1971
June 7th, 1971
How Long Ago?
53 years, 9 months, 8 days ago
Location
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
Links & References
Tags
Allegheny Airlines Flight 485 Crash Details
Allegheny Airlines Flight 485, a scheduled flight from Washington D.C. to New Haven, Connecticut, crashed while approaching Tweed New Haven Airport. The accident involved the aircraft descending through a thick fog when it struck an embankment less than a mile from the runway. Of the 31 passengers and crew on board, 28 perished in the crash.
Flight was en route to Tweed New Haven Airport.
Crashed due to dense fog on approach.
28 of 31 people on board died.
Highlighted need for better aviation safety protocols.
What Happened?
Allegheny Airlines Flight 485 was a scheduled commuter flight heading from Washington, D.C. to New Haven, Connecticut. On approach to Tweed New Haven Airport, the aircraft encountered dense fog, which severely limited visibility for the pilots. As the flight descended toward the airport, it tragically struck an embankment located just under a mile from the runway. The crash resulted in the loss of 28 lives among the 31 people on board. Emergency responders and local authorities quickly arrived at the scene, but the majority of those aboard suffered fatal injuries. Investigators were later dispatched to determine the exact cause of the accident and to analyze contributing factors like weather conditions and pilot procedures. This incident highlighted the challenges of flying in adverse weather, especially for smaller regional airlines operating in less technologically advanced aircraft models of the time.
Why Does it Matter?
The crash of Allegheny Airlines Flight 485 is significant as it underscored the aviation safety concerns related to poor weather conditions and the operational protocols of regional airlines. Following the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented stricter regulations regarding flight operations in low visibility conditions. The event also raised public awareness regarding aviation safety issues and profoundly impacted the families of victims, leading to discussions about improvements in pilot training and airline safety standards.
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