Historical Events tagged with "air france"

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

Air France Flight 1611 Tragedy Near Nice

September 11th, 1968 56 years ago

Air France Flight 1611, a scheduled flight en route from Nice, France, to Paris, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, went down in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the loss of 89 passengers and six crew members. The incident raised questions about aviation safety protocols and contributed to discussions around airline operations in turbulent weather conditions. Investigations uncovered that the flight encountered severe thunderstorms, exacerbating the challenges faced by the flight crew during departure.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air France Flight 212 Plummets into Volcano

March 5th, 1968 57 years ago

Air France Flight 212, operated by a Douglas DC-8, crashed into the La Grande Soufrière volcano on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. With 63 people aboard, the flight went tragically off course in poor weather while en route from Paris to Fort-de-France. The aircraft was trying to navigate the mountainous terrain when it lost altitude and impacted the mountainous region. The incident marked a significant aviation disaster, highlighting the risks of flying in challenging weather conditions and difficult terrains.

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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

Air France Flight 007 Runway Tragedy

June 3rd, 1962 62 years ago

At Paris Orly Airport, Air France Flight 007 was involved in a catastrophic accident when the crew attempted to abort takeoff. As the aircraft overran the runway, it subsequently exploded, resulting in the tragic loss of 130 lives on board. The incident drew significant attention to aviation safety standards and the protocols involved in takeoff procedures.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air France Flight 2005 crash near Rabat

September 12th, 1961 63 years ago

Air France Flight 2005 was a scheduled passenger flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Rabat–Salé Airport in Morocco. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-7, encountered difficulties while climbing and crashed into the sea, resulting in the loss of 77 lives, including passengers and crew. The cause of the crash was linked to various factors, including mechanical failure and possible pilot error. Despite the recovery efforts, no survivors were found.

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Crime & Law

Air France Flight 406 Bombing Incident

May 10th, 1961 63 years ago

Air France Flight 406 was destroyed by a bomb while flying over the Sahara Desert, resulting in the deaths of 78 people on board. The aircraft, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, was en route from Brazzaville to Paris when an explosion occurred mid-flight. Investigations later revealed that the bombing was orchestrated by a group with ties to the Algerian War, raising tensions surrounding aviation security. The tragic event highlighted vulnerabilities in airline operations during a period of geopolitical unrest.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air France Flight 343 crashes in Senegal

August 29th, 1960 64 years ago

Air France Flight 343 was a scheduled passenger flight that tragically crashed while approaching Yoff Airport in Senegal, resulting in the loss of all 63 individuals on board. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-8, encountered difficulties during its final descent, leading to a catastrophic failure. This incident marked one of the significant air disasters of the era, sparking discussions about aviation safety standards and operational protocols in the context of international air travel.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air France DC-4 Crash Near Bahrain Airport

June 14th, 1950 74 years ago

A tragic accident occurred when an Air France Douglas DC-4 crashed near Bahrain International Airport, resulting in the loss of 40 lives. This incident followed another similar crash involving an Air France DC-4 just two days prior. Investigators began examining the circumstances of these crashes and their potential implications for aviation safety.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air France Constellation Crash in the Azores

October 28th, 1949 75 years ago

An Air France Lockheed Constellation suffered a catastrophic failure, crashing into the ocean near the Azores. All 48 individuals on board perished in the incident. The flight, which was en route from Paris to New York City, encountered severe weather conditions. The Portuguese authorities conducted an extensive search and rescue operation, but no survivors were found, prompting investigations into the causes of the crash.

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