Historical Events tagged with "air disaster"

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

Aeroflot Flight 558 crashes in Bashkortostan

August 31st, 1972 52 years ago

Aeroflot Flight 558, a Soviet passenger aircraft, crashed in the Abzelilovsky District of Bashkortostan, Russia, killing all 102 people on board. The incident was attributed to a combination of technical malfunction and pilot error during the approach to the airport. The aircraft was a Tupolev Tu-154, which was in service from 1971 until its retirement in the early 2000s, serving as a key model in Soviet aviation.

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Accidents & Tragedies

BEA Trident Crash at Heathrow Airport

June 18th, 1972 52 years ago

A British European Airways H.S. Trident aircraft crashed within minutes of takeoff from London's Heathrow Airport, resulting in the deaths of 118 people on board. The aircraft, operating Flight 548 to Brussels, encountered difficulties shortly after taking off. Despite rapid descent and emergency procedures, the crew was unable to regain control, leading to the catastrophic failure and crash in Staines, near the airport.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Paradise Airlines Flight 901A Fatal Crash

March 1st, 1964 61 years ago

On March 1, 1964, Paradise Airlines Flight 901A crashed near Lake Tahoe, Nevada, resulting in the deaths of 85 individuals. The aircraft, a twin-engine Convair 440, was on a scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Reno. As it approached Lake Tahoe for landing, it encountered adverse weather conditions that contributed to the accident. Investigations revealed issues related to pilot error and violations of operational procedures.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air France Flight 117 crashes in Guadeloupe

June 22nd, 1962 62 years ago

On approach to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, Air France Flight 117 crashed into the sea, resulting in the loss of 112 lives. The aircraft, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, was on a flight from the French city of Orly to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe when it encountered severe weather conditions near its destination. The crew attempted to divert, but ultimately lost control and crashed shortly before landing.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Lufthansa Flight 502 Crash in Rio de Janeiro

January 11th, 1959 66 years ago

Lufthansa Flight 502, a passenger aircraft, crashed while approaching Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport, resulting in the loss of 36 lives aboard. The aircraft experienced severe difficulties during descent, leading to an emergency situation. Despite efforts by the crew, the plane couldn't be stabilized, leading to a tragic outcome. Investigations followed to determine the underlying causes of the incident.

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Accidents & Tragedies

BOAC Flight 781 Crash Over Tyrrhenian Sea

January 10th, 1954 71 years ago

BOAC Flight 781, a de Havilland DH.106 Comet 1, exploded mid-air over the Tyrrhenian Sea, resulting in the deaths of all 35 individuals on board. The flight was en route from Rome to London when it encountered trouble shortly after takeoff. Eyewitness reports and subsequent investigations pointed towards a possible technical malfunction contributing to the disaster.

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Accidents & Tragedies

American Airlines Flight 723 crash in Colonie

September 16th, 1953 71 years ago

American Airlines Flight 723 crashed just outside Albany, New York, resulting in the loss of 28 lives. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-6, encountered severe weather conditions, including low visibility due to fog and rain, while attempting to land at Albany International Airport. Emergency response teams were mobilized quickly, but the tragic nature of the incident led to widespread investigations into aviation safety. The crash highlighted the risks of flying in adverse weather conditions during the 1950s.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Llandow Air Disaster Claims 80 Lives

March 12th, 1950 75 years ago

A tragic aircraft accident occurred near Sigingstone, Wales, resulting in the loss of 80 lives. The aircraft, a Viking Class plane, crashed shortly after takeoff from Llandow airfield due to adverse weather conditions. The aircraft was operated by a charter company, and it was scheduled to fly to London. Unfortunately, the weather was poor on the day of the flight, which contributed to the crash shortly after departure.

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