Historical Events tagged with "aircraft"

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

Alliance Air Flight 7412 Crashes in Patna

July 17th, 2000 24 years ago

Alliance Air Flight 7412, a domestic flight, crashed into a residential neighborhood in Patna, India, during its approach to Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport. The crash resulted in the loss of 60 lives, with passengers and residents among the casualties. Eyewitnesses reported a sudden descent of the aircraft just before impact, raising concerns about air traffic safety in the area. The incident prompted an immediate investigation into the causes behind the crash, highlighting issues related to aviation safety standards in India.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Crossair Flight 498 Crash in Switzerland

January 10th, 2000 25 years ago

Crossair Flight 498, a Saab 340 aircraft, crashed shortly after taking off from Zurich Airport, resulting in the deaths of 13 people. The aircraft, which was en route to the city of Munich, faced a sudden loss of control shortly after departure. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft descended rapidly and went down in a field near Niederhasli, augmenting concerns about flight safety in regional aviation at the time.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

First Nighthawk Shot Down in Combat

March 27th, 1999 25 years ago

An American Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk was shot down by a Yugoslav Army surface-to-air missile (SAM) during the NATO bombing campaign in Kosovo. This incident marked a significant moment in military history, as it was the first and only confirmed loss of the F-117A Nighthawk during combat. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Dale Zelko, successfully ejected and was later rescued by allied forces. The downing occurred near the town of Budjanovci, in Serbia, raising questions about the effectiveness of stealth technology.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Alitalia Flight 1553 Crashes in Genoa

February 25th, 1999 26 years ago

Alitalia Flight 1553, a domestic flight from Milan to Genoa, crashed during landing at Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, resulting in four fatalities. The aircraft, an ATR 72, experienced difficulties in low visibility conditions, leading to a hard landing and subsequent fire. The incident occurred shortly after the crew attempted to divert due to adverse weather conditions, culminating in a tragic accident that shocked the aviation community.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

China Southwest Airlines Flight 4509 Crash

February 24th, 1999 26 years ago

China Southwest Airlines Flight 4509, operating a Tupolev Tu-154, crashed near Rui'an, Zhejiang province in China. The aircraft was carrying 61 people, all of whom perished in the incident. The flight was on a domestic route from Harbin to Shenzhen, demonstrating the challenges of air travel safety in that era. Investigations focused on potential mechanical failures and pilot errors contributing to the crash.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

PauknAir Flight 4101 Crash Near Melilla Airport

September 25th, 1998 26 years ago

A PauknAir British Aerospace 146 aircraft, Flight 4101, tragically crashed while attempting to land at Melilla Airport in Spain. The crash resulted in the loss of 38 lives, with the majority being passengers and crew members aboard the flight. The plane encountered difficulties during its approach, leading to its descent into a nearby area. The investigation into the crash revealed several contributing factors, including adverse weather conditions and potential pilot error.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

SilkAir Flight 185 crashes into Musi River

December 19th, 1997 27 years ago

SilkAir Flight 185, while traveling from Jakarta to Singapore, crashed into the Musi River near Palembang, Indonesia, resulting in the loss of all 104 people onboard. The Boeing 737-300 aircraft, just 14 minutes into its flight, experienced a rapid descent and impacted the water. Initial investigations indicated potential mechanical failure, but further analysis led to questions regarding pilot actions leading up to the crash.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Mid-air Collision of Military Aircraft Near Namibia

September 13th, 1997 27 years ago

A German Air Force Tupolev Tu-154 collided with a United States Air Force Lockheed C-141 Starlifter near Namibia, resulting in the deaths of 33 personnel from both aircraft. The incident occurred during a military exercise, where the two planes were engaged in air maneuvers. This tragic event highlighted the risks associated with joint military operations, particularly in crowded airspaces.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Collision of Beechcraft Planes at Quincy Airport

November 19th, 1996 28 years ago

A tragic mid-air collision occurred at Quincy Regional Airport involving a Beechcraft 1900 and a Beechcraft King Air. Fourteen individuals lost their lives when the two aircraft collided upon takeoff, leading to a significant investigation into safety protocols. The incident raised awareness about aviation safety at smaller regional airports.

Continue Reading