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

Iran Air Flight 291 Crashes in Alborz Mountains

January 21st, 1980 45 years ago

Iran Air Flight 291, a domestic passenger flight, crashed in the Alborz Mountains while attempting to land at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. The Boeing 727-200 aircraft encountered severe weather conditions and lost altitude rapidly. Tragically, all 128 people on board perished in the accident, marking one of the deadliest incidents involving Iranian aviation at the time.

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Crime & Law

Hastie Fire Leads to Arrest of Bruce Lee

December 4th, 1979 45 years ago

A tragic fire at a Hull school killed three boys and led to the arrest of Bruce George Peter Lee. The fire occurred in the playground, sparking a massive police investigation. Initial reports suggested it was an accident, but subsequent evidence pointed to foul play as Lee's involvement became apparent.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air New Zealand DC-10 Crashes into Mount Erebus

November 28th, 1979 45 years ago

Air New Zealand Flight 901 was a sightseeing flight over Antarctica that tragically crashed into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people on board. On this flight, travelers were treated to stunning views of the Antarctic landscape, but the flight ended in disaster as poor visibility and a miscommunication with air traffic control led to the catastrophic collision. The aircraft was on a route that took it near the active volcano, and navigation errors resulted in it descending too low, ultimately leading to the fatal impact.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740 Crash

November 26th, 1979 45 years ago

Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740, a scheduled passenger flight, tragically crashed near Taif in Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, killing all 156 individuals on board. The aircraft was a Boeing 707-340B and had encountered adverse weather conditions, leading to a loss of control shortly before its intended landing. The crash occurred as it approached Taif Airport, an area known for its challenging weather patterns due to nearby mountains.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Swissair Flight 316 crashes in Athens

October 7th, 1979 45 years ago

Swissair Flight 316, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8, experienced a catastrophic crash upon landing at Ellinikon International Airport in Athens, Greece. The aircraft was carrying 36 passengers and crew, and during the approach, it struck a sea taxiing boat that had strayed onto the runway. Although there were 22 survivors, the crash resulted in 14 fatalities, highlighting significant safety risks at the airport.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Collision of Two Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-134s

August 11th, 1979 45 years ago

Two Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-134 aircraft collided midair over the Ukrainian city of Dniprodzerzhynsk. Both planes were en route on domestic flights, and the collision resulted in a catastrophic crash, leaving no survivors among the 178 people onboard. The incident raised questions about air traffic control procedures and the safety of Soviet aviation standards.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Fire Tragedy at Ghost Train Ride

June 9th, 1979 45 years ago

A fire engulfed the Ghost Train ride at Luna Park in Sydney, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including children. The ride was popular among visitors, and the unexpected blaze created panic among patrons. Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames rapidly spread throughout the attraction, leading to a chaotic evacuation process. The fire prompted a significant investigation and raised concerns about safety standards in amusement parks.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Downeast Flight 46 Crashes Near Rockland

May 30th, 1979 45 years ago

Downeast Airlines Flight 46, a scheduled flight from Boston to Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland, Maine, tragically crashed during its approach. The incident resulted in the loss of 17 lives, including passengers and crew, marking it as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Maine's history. The aircraft was a Fairchild F-27, and the crash occurred shortly after 6 PM local time. Investigators later found that the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions, contributing to its forced landing in a wooded area just short of the runway.

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Accidents & Tragedies

American Airlines Flight 191 Crash at O'Hare

May 25th, 1979 45 years ago

American Airlines Flight 191, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, crashed shortly after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The aircraft, carrying 258 passengers and 13 crew members, lost control due to a failure in the left engine, resulting in a catastrophic crash that claimed all lives on board as well as two individuals on the ground. The disaster remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the United States.

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