Historical Events tagged with "flight"

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

Garuda Flight 892 Crash in India

May 28th, 1968 56 years ago

Garuda Indonesian Airways Flight 892, a scheduled domestic passenger flight, crashed near Nala Sopara, India, resulting in the deaths of 30 individuals onboard. This disaster occurred when the aircraft, a Douglas DC-8, lost control during its approach due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility. The plane was returning to Jakarta from a connecting flight from Madras. Search and rescue operations were initiated immediately after the crash, which was detected by nearby residents.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Braniff Flight 352 crashes near Dawson, Texas

May 3rd, 1968 56 years ago

Braniff International Airways Flight 352, a scheduled flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Chicago Midway Airport, tragically crashed during approach near Dawson, Texas. The aircraft, a Lockheed L-188 Electra, encountered severe weather, causing the loss of control and resulting in the deaths of all 85 individuals on board. The crash occurred less than a mile from the runway as the plane attempted to land, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Texas history.

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Accidents & Tragedies

F-104 Starfighter and XB-70 Valkyrie Collision

June 8th, 1966 58 years ago

During a photo shoot near Edwards Air Force Base, an F-104 Starfighter collided with XB-70 Valkyrie prototype no. 2, leading to the destruction of both aircraft. The incident resulted in the fatalities of NASA test pilot Joseph A. Walker and USAF test pilot Carl Cross, highlighting the risks associated with experimental aviation and flight testing. This catastrophic event underscored the inherent dangers in aerospace testing during the Cold War era.

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Exploration & Discovery

Jerrie Mock's Historic Solo Flight Achievement

April 17th, 1964 60 years ago

Jerrie Mock completed the first solo flight around the world by a woman on April 17, 1964. Her journey, undertaken in the Spirit of Columbus, began and ended at Port Columbus International Airport in Ohio. The flight lasted for 29 and a half days, marking a significant milestone for women in aviation. Mock's adventure included stops in numerous countries, where she faced various challenges including weather and technical issues. Her successful return made her an icon in aviation history.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 831 Crash

November 29th, 1963 61 years ago

A Trans-Canada Air Lines flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Montreal-Dorval International Airport, resulting in the loss of all 118 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-8-53, encountered difficulties in the early stages of the flight. Investigations revealed that a combination of mechanical failure and pilot error contributed to the disaster, marking a significant event in Canadian aviation history.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Swissair Flight 306 Fatal Crash Overview

September 4th, 1963 61 years ago

Swissair Flight 306, a Douglas DC-8, crashed near Dürrenäsch, Switzerland, resulting in the loss of all 80 people aboard. The flight was en route from Zurich to New York City but encountered severe weather. Poor visibility and a malfunction in the aircraft's autothrottle system contributed to the disaster. Despite attempts to regain control, the plane went down in an area surrounded by dense fog and mountainous terrain, leaving no survivors.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Alitalia Flight 771 crashes in Junnar, India

July 7th, 1962 62 years ago

Alitalia Flight 771, an international passenger flight from Rome to Bombay, crashed in Junnar, Maharashtra, killing 94 individuals onboard. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-8, encountered difficulties during approach due to poor weather conditions and ultimately lost control. Attempts to land safely were unsuccessful, resulting in a tragic accident that left no survivors. The crash site was located in a mountainous area, complicating rescue operations.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Viasa Flight 897's Fatal Departure from Lisbon

May 30th, 1961 63 years ago

Viasa Flight 897, a Douglas DC-8, tragically crashed shortly after taking off from Lisbon Airport, resulting in the loss of 61 lives. The aircraft encountered difficulties soon after leaving the runway, leading to its abrupt descent. Rescue efforts began immediately but the impact had devastating consequences. The accident raised significant concerns regarding airline safety and protocols in the aviation industry, prompting investigations and evaluations of operational standards.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 710 Crash

March 17th, 1960 64 years ago

Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 710, a Lockheed L-188 Electra, crashed in Tobin Township, Indiana, killing all 63 people on board. The flight was en route from New York to Seattle when it encountered inclement weather. Poor visibility led to the tragic accident as the plane descended into a wooded area approximately nine miles south of the intended airport.

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