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

Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 Crash

December 29th, 1972 52 years ago

Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, crashed into the Florida Everglades while on approach to Miami International Airport. The crash resulted in the deaths of 101 of the 176 people on board. The aircraft was being operated by Eastern Air Lines and encountered difficulties during landing due to a malfunction. The crew became preoccupied with troubleshooting the malfunction, which contributed to the accident. Rescue efforts were initiated quickly but many passengers perished in the crash.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Spantax Flight 275 Crashes at Tenerife Airport

December 3rd, 1972 52 years ago

Spantax Flight 275, a Douglas DC-8, crashed during takeoff from Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 155 people aboard. The aircraft experienced catastrophic failure shortly after becoming airborne, with debris indicating a loss of control. Despite efforts from the crew, the plane could not maintain altitude and ultimately crashed into a nearby agricultural area.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Ilyushin Il-62 Airliner Crash in East Germany

August 14th, 1972 52 years ago

An Ilyushin Il-62 airliner, operating on a domestic route in East Germany, crashed near Königs Wusterhausen killing all 156 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff, leading to a catastrophic failure that resulted in the tragic loss of life. Investigators later revealed potential mechanical failures contributing to the accident.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Collision of CV-580 and DHC-6 Over Lake Winnebago

June 29th, 1972 52 years ago

A Convair CV-580 and a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter collided in mid-air over Lake Winnebago near Appleton, Wisconsin, resulting in the tragic death of 13 individuals. The accident happened due to a combination of poor visibility and aircraft malfunction, leading to a significant disaster in regional aviation history. Emergency services responded promptly, although all onboard were unfortunately lost, marking a somber moment for the local community and the aviation industry.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Japan Air Lines Flight 471 Crash in New Delhi

June 14th, 1972 52 years ago

Japan Air Lines Flight 471 crashed on approach to Palam International Airport in New Delhi, India, resulting in the loss of 82 lives out of 87 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft, a Boeing 727, encountered difficulties during its landing approach due to poor visibility caused by dense fog. Tragically, the crash also claimed the lives of four individuals on the ground, further heightening the disaster's impact on the local community.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Antonov An-24 Crash in Kindergarten

May 16th, 1972 52 years ago

An Antonov An-24 aircraft crashed into a kindergarten in Svetlogorsk, killing 35 individuals, including many children. The incident occurred during a routine flight that encountered severe turbulence. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion as the plane struck the building, resulting in significant structural damage. Rescue operations began immediately, but many victims were trapped beneath the rubble.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Alitalia Flight 112 crash near Palermo

May 5th, 1972 52 years ago

On May 5, 1972, Alitalia Flight 112, a Douglas DC-8, crashed into Mount Longa near Palermo, Sicily, killing all 115 people on board. This tragedy marked the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy's aviation history. The flight, operating from Turin to Catania, encountered severe weather and poor visibility before descending into the mountains. The lack of radar coverage in the area hampered the flight's navigation, resulting in its fatal approach.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Fire at Sunshine Mine Claims 91 Lives

May 2nd, 1972 52 years ago

In the early morning hours, a massive fire erupted at the Sunshine Mine located between Kellogg and Wallace, Idaho, resulting in the tragic loss of 91 miners. The blaze was fueled by high levels of flammable gases and inadequate safety measures, complicating rescue efforts while the workers were trapped inside. Despite the immediate response by local firefighters and mine rescue teams, many of the trapped miners succumbed to smoke inhalation and the intense heat of the fire. The incident raised significant concerns regarding mining safety protocols and regulations.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Mohawk Airlines Flight 405 Control Malfunction

March 3rd, 1972 53 years ago

Mohawk Airlines Flight 405 tragically crashed near the Green Mountain Airport in Vermont due to a control malfunction compounded by insufficient training in emergency procedures. The aircraft, a Fairchild F-27, was en route from Albany, New York, to Burlington, Vermont. Shortly before the incident, the crew encountered inconsistencies in wing control, which they were not adequately trained to address, leading to the loss of control and a fatal crash, killing everyone onboard. Investigation revealed critical deficiencies in pilot training and aircraft maintenance protocols.

Continue Reading