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.

Transportation & Infrastructure

First Non-Stop Round-The-World Flight Completed

December 23rd, 1986 38 years ago

Voyager, a custom-built aircraft piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, successfully completed its historic non-stop flight around the world, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The flight took off on December 4 and lasted 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds, covering about 26,366 miles. This remarkable feat was accomplished without the need for aerial or ground refueling, showcasing advancements in engineering and aviation technology.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Gimli Glider's Remarkable Deadstick Landing

July 23rd, 1983 41 years ago

Air Canada Flight 143, a Boeing 767, ran out of fuel during a flight from Montreal to Edmonton. Piloted by Captain Robert Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal, the aircraft began experiencing a fuel shortage shortly before its scheduled landing. With no power and a glide ratio to manage, they successfully executed a deadstick landing on the runway of the Gimli Glider, a former Royal Canadian Air Force base. This incident highlighted the importance of accurate fuel calculations in aviation.

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Accidents & Tragedies

VASP Flight 168 crashes in Brazil

June 8th, 1982 42 years ago

VASP Flight 168, a passenger flight, crashed in Pacatuba, Ceará, Brazil, during its approach to Fortaleza. The aircraft, a Boeing 727, encountered severe weather conditions compounded by navigational issues, leading to the tragedy. All 128 people on board, including crew and passengers, perished. The crash is remembered for its significant loss of life and raised awareness about flight safety in Brazil. It highlighted the importance of improved weather reporting and navigation protocols to prevent similar occurrences.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 Crash

December 1st, 1981 43 years ago

Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308, operating a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, crashed near Corsica, resulting in the loss of all 180 passengers and crew on board. The flight was en route from Luqa, Malta, to Paris, France, when it encountered severe weather conditions, leading to the tragic accident. The incident highlighted the critical importance of aviation safety and weather monitoring. This crash remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the region.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Aeroflot Flight 3603 Crashes at Norilsk Airport

November 16th, 1981 43 years ago

Aeroflot Flight 3603, a Tupolev Tu-154, encountered issues during landing at Norilsk Airport in Russia, resulting in a crash that claimed 99 lives. The flight was en route from Krasnoyarsk with 97 passengers and 8 crew members on board. Despite landing conditions being relatively standard, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of altitude and control prior to touchdown, leading to a tragic outcome.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Iran Air Flight 291 Crashes in Alborz Mountains

January 21st, 1980 45 years ago

Iran Air Flight 291, a domestic passenger flight, crashed in the Alborz Mountains while attempting to land at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. The Boeing 727-200 aircraft encountered severe weather conditions and lost altitude rapidly. Tragically, all 128 people on board perished in the accident, marking one of the deadliest incidents involving Iranian aviation at the time.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Aeroflot Flight 1080 crashes shortly after takeoff

October 7th, 1978 46 years ago

Aeroflot Flight 1080, a Soviet passenger aircraft, experienced a catastrophic accident shortly after departing from Koltsovo International Airport in Sverdlovsk. The flight, en route to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, encountered severe issues shortly after takeoff, leading to its crash, which tragically resulted in the loss of 38 lives. Investigations following the accident revealed mechanical failures and complications during ascent. This incident was among several accidents faced by Soviet aviation during this period, raising concerns about safety standards.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Air India Flight 855 Crashes into Arabian Sea

January 1st, 1978 47 years ago

Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747, crashed into the Arabian Sea off Bombay due to issues related to instrument failure, spatial disorientation, and pilot error. All 213 individuals aboard lost their lives in this catastrophic accident. The flight was on its way to Dubai when it encountered severe difficulties during its approach, leading to a tragic end just moments after takeoff. Investigators later attributed the incident to a combination of factors that contributed to the crew's inability to maintain control.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Indian Airlines Flight 171 Collision at Santacruz Airport

October 12th, 1976 48 years ago

Indian Airlines Flight 171, a domestic passenger flight, crashed at Santacruz Airport in Bombay, India, resulting in the deaths of 95 individuals aboard. The aircraft collided with a building during approach, leading to a catastrophic fire and loss of life, primarily among passengers and crew. The incident raised significant concerns regarding aviation safety and led to increased regulatory scrutiny on air travel in the region.

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