Historical Events tagged with "aviation"

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

Allegheny Airlines Flight 485 Crash Details

June 7th, 1971 53 years ago

Allegheny Airlines Flight 485, a scheduled flight from Washington D.C. to New Haven, Connecticut, crashed while approaching Tweed New Haven Airport. The accident involved the aircraft descending through a thick fog when it struck an embankment less than a mile from the runway. Of the 31 passengers and crew on board, 28 perished in the crash.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Deadly Collision in San Gabriel Mountains

June 6th, 1971 53 years ago

Hughes Airwest Flight 706, a DC-9, collided with a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet of the United States Marine Corps over the San Gabriel Mountains, resulting in the loss of all 50 people aboard. The incident occurred during clear weather conditions, raising questions about air traffic control and pilot decision-making. The flight was en route from Los Angeles International Airport to Portland, Oregon, when the tragedy struck near the Angeles National Forest.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Southern Airways Flight 932 Crash

November 14th, 1970 54 years ago

Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed into a mountain near Huntington, West Virginia, resulting in the deaths of 75 individuals, including 37 members of the Marshall University football team. The plane was on a return flight from a game in Wilmington, North Carolina, when it encountered severe weather conditions and went off course. The incident profoundly impacted the local community and the football program at Marshall University.

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Politics & Government

ICAO Welcomes Russian as Official Language

November 14th, 1970 54 years ago

The Soviet Union was officially admitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which established Russian as its fourth official language. This decision was part of a broader diplomatic effort to enhance international aviation collaboration during the Cold War. The inclusion of Russian aimed to facilitate communication among member states and improve global air safety. The ICAO's headquarters in Montreal, Canada, became a hub for discussions on aviation regulations and standards that included multilingual considerations.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Wichita State University Football Team Plane Crash

October 2nd, 1970 54 years ago

An aircraft carrying the Wichita State University football team, along with coaches and supporters, tragically crashed in Colorado, resulting in the loss of 31 lives. The flight was returning from a game in Utah when it encountered severe weather. The crash occurred near Silver Plume, Colorado, due to difficult flying conditions, highlighting the risks associated with small aircraft operations in adverse weather.

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Politics & Government

Release of Hostages by Dawson's Field Hijackers

September 11th, 1970 54 years ago

In September 1970, hijackers associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) took control of three airliners and landed in Dawson's Field in Jordan. On September 11, they released 88 hostages, primarily non-Jewish individuals, while retaining Israeli and Jewish hostages. The situation created a high-tension standoff with significant international political implications.

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Politics & Government

British Airliner Hijacked to Dawson's Field

September 9th, 1970 54 years ago

A British airliner was hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and diverted to Dawson's Field in Jordan. This incident occurred as part of a series of hijackings targeting multiple airlines. The PFLP, seeking to draw attention to the Palestinian cause, aimed to highlight their grievances against Israel and the U.S. government. The aircraft, along with its passengers, became part of a political conflict that underscored the tensions of the era.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Trans International Airlines Flight 863 Crash

September 8th, 1970 54 years ago

Trans International Airlines Flight 863 crashed during takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, resulting in the deaths of all 11 individuals on board. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-8, encountered difficulties shortly after becoming airborne, leading to the catastrophic incident. Investigations would later reveal several technical issues and human factors that contributed to the crash, raising questions about flight safety protocols at that time.

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Politics & Government

Simultaneous Hijackings by Palestinian Terrorists

September 6th, 1970 54 years ago

Two passenger jets traveling from Europe to New York were hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and diverted to Dawson's Field in Jordan. This incident marked the beginning of a series of high-profile hijackings intended to gain international attention for the Palestinian cause. The hijackers, using weapons and explosives, took control of the aircraft, leading to a tense standoff with authorities and a major diplomatic crisis.

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