Historical Events tagged with "accident"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Widerøe Flight 710 Crashes into Mt. Torghatten

May 6th, 1988 36 years ago

Widerøe Flight 710, a Norwegian commuter flight, crashed into Mt. Torghatten in Brønnøy, Norway, claiming the lives of all 36 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft, a Dash 7 twin-engine turboprop, was en route from Bodø to Brønnøysund when it encountered difficulties. The crash occurred just moments before landing, as the crew attempted to navigate through challenging weather conditions. This tragic incident highlighted the risks associated with flying in mountainous regions, particularly during adverse weather.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Massive Explosion at PEPCON Facility

May 4th, 1988 36 years ago

A significant fire at the PEPCON plant in Henderson, Nevada, led to a catastrophic explosion that resulted in the detonation of large quantities of propellant materials intended for the Space Shuttle program. The incident occurred during a fire caused by an accident within the facility, which manufactured ammonium perchlorate for rocket propellants. The explosion was felt up to 20 miles away, causing extensive damage to nearby buildings and injuring several individuals. The scale of the explosion and its implications highlighted the dangers associated with manufacturing and handling explosive materials.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Tragic Incident Involving Aloha Airlines Flight

April 28th, 1988 36 years ago

Aloha Airlines Flight 243 experienced cabin decompression when a significant portion of its fuselage, weakened from metal fatigue, tore open in mid-flight. Clarabelle 'C.B.' Lansing, a flight attendant, was ejected from the aircraft and lost her life in the incident. The flight was en route from Hilo to Honolulu when it suffered this catastrophic failure at an altitude of approximately 24,000 feet, leading to severe damage and emergency landing requirements. The crew managed to maintain control and safely land the aircraft despite the devastating circumstances.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Ojhri Camp Explosion in Pakistan

April 10th, 1988 36 years ago

A massive explosion at the Ojhri Camp in Pakistan caused more than 1,000 casualties, resulting from the accidental detonation of an arms depot. The camp, which was storing military explosives, was located near Rawalpindi, leading to widespread destruction and panic across the Islamabad area. Eyewitness accounts reported flames and debris covering the surrounding neighborhoods, with citizens rushing to help those injured in the disaster.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Avianca Flight 410 crashes near Venezuela

March 17th, 1988 37 years ago

A Colombian Boeing 727 jetliner, Avianca Flight 410, experienced a catastrophic failure, resulting in the crash of the aircraft into a mountainside near the Venezuelan border. The accident claimed the lives of 143 individuals onboard. Preliminary investigations suggested pilot error possibly contributed to the critical situation that led to the crash. The tragedy raised questions about aviation safety protocols in Latin America, particularly concerning aging fleets and pilot training standards.

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Accidents & Tragedies

AVAir Flight 3378 crashes in Cary, North Carolina

February 19th, 1988 37 years ago

A Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner operating as AVAir Flight 3378 crashed in Cary, North Carolina, killing all 12 people on board. The flight, which had departed from the Southern Pines airport, met with tragedy during its approach to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The accident occurred due to inclement weather conditions, including low visibility and rain, creating critical challenges for the pilot. Post-accident investigations focused on the weather and operational decisions made by the crew.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286 Crash

January 19th, 1988 37 years ago

Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286, a commuter flight from Denver to Farmington, New Mexico, crashed near Bayfield, Colorado, killing all nine people on board. The aircraft, a twin-engine Beechcraft 1900, encountered severe weather conditions that contributed to the fatal accident. The flight, carrying both crew and passengers, was attempting to navigate through turbulent conditions in the San Juan Mountains when it lost control. First responders arrived shortly after the crash but found no survivors.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Condor Flugdienst Flight 3782 Crash Overview

January 2nd, 1988 37 years ago

Condor Flugdienst Flight 3782, a charter flight, crashed near Seferihisar, Turkey, resulting in the loss of 16 lives. The aircraft was on a return flight from Antalya to Frankfurt when it encountered severe weather. The conditions led to the pilot's inability to maintain control, resulting in a crash shortly after takeoff. Investigations revealed that the aircraft attempted to return to the airport due to turbulent weather but ultimately succumbed to the challenges.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Doña Paz Ferry Disaster in the Philippines

December 20th, 1987 37 years ago

The passenger ferry Doña Paz collided with the oil tanker MT Vector in the Tablas Strait, resulting in a catastrophic sinking and a staggering loss of life. Approximately 4,000 people are believed to have perished, while official reports tallied 1,749 confirmed fatalities. The collision occurred late at night, leading to a rapid spread of the fire aboard the ferry, making it near impossible for passengers to escape. The tragedy highlighted significant issues in maritime safety standards in the Philippines.

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