Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 706 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight that encountered a catastrophic failure during its takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The aircraft involved was a Lockheed L-188 Electra, recognized for its turboprop engines and ability to carry a significant number of passengers. Shortly after liftoff, the flight experienced a loss of control, resulting in the aircraft crashing approximately one mile from the runway. The exact cause of the crash was later determined to be related to issues with the wing flaps, along with incorrect pilot response to the situation.

The flight carried a total of 37 people, comprising both passengers and crew members. Tragically, there were no survivors. The aircraft was en route to Seattle, Washington, and the morning was meant to usher in what was to be just another routine flight. The crash drew attention to the reliance on technical advancements in aviation and the necessity for rigorous safety measures in the industry.

In the subsequent investigation, safety experts evaluated the crash in conjunction with the concurrent technological and regulatory environment in aviation. The findings led to improvements in pilot training and regulatory scrutiny over aircraft maintenance practices, contributing to a shift in safety protocols for commercial airlines in the following decades.