Historical Events tagged with "passengers"

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

Bomb Explosion on Pan Am Flight 830

August 11th, 1982 42 years ago

Pan Am Flight 830, traveling from Tokyo to Honolulu, experienced a bomb explosion mid-flight, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuring 15 others. The incident occurred over the Pacific Ocean and sent shockwaves through the aviation industry. It was determined that the bomb was planted by individuals with connections to political tensions at the time.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Finnair Flight 405 Hijacking in Oulu

September 30th, 1978 46 years ago

Finnair Flight 405 was hijacked by Aarno Lamminparras in Oulu, Finland, causing a significant security situation. The hijacking occurred during a routine domestic flight, where Lamminparras took control of the aircraft after initially boarding unnoticed. His demands included the pilot to fly to a specified destination. The incident drew the attention of authorities, leading to a tense standoff that involved negotiation and eventual resolution without serious injuries among the passengers or crew.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Martinair Flight 138's Fatal Crash in Sri Lanka

December 4th, 1974 50 years ago

Martinair Flight 138, a chartered flight from Amsterdam to Male, crashed into the Saptha Kanya mountain range in Maskeliya, Sri Lanka, killing all 191 people on board. The McDonnell Douglas DC-8 was descending for landing when it encountered severe weather conditions, leading to a loss of control. Mistakes in navigation and communication with air traffic control contributed to the tragedy, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Sri Lankan history.

Continue Reading
Crime & Law

Deadly Attack on Rome's Airport by Terrorists

December 17th, 1973 51 years ago

Palestinian terrorists executed a coordinated attack at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, resulting in the deaths of thirty passengers and several injuries. The assailants, armed and organized, targeted travelers, leading to chaos and panic at one of Europe's major airports. This incident marked a significant moment in international terrorism, highlighting the growing threat of political violence worldwide during this period. Witnesses recounted horrific scenes as security forces intervened, triggering a response that would influence airport security measures in the years to follow.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

Concorde 001 Follows Moon's Shadow

June 30th, 1973 51 years ago

On this remarkable day, Concorde 001, the world's first supersonic passenger aircraft, successfully intercepted the path of a total solar eclipse. As it flew over the Atlantic, the aircraft was able to extend its observation of the total eclipse by following the moon's shadow. This unique airborne experience allowed passengers to witness the eclipse in a way that has never been replicated.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Scandinavian Airlines Plane Crash Near Ankara

January 19th, 1960 65 years ago

Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 871 crashed near Ankara Esenboğa Airport in Turkey with the loss of all 42 passengers and crew onboard. The aircraft was a Douglas DC-6, which encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff. Eyewitness reports indicated that the plane went down in a rural area near the airport, sparking immediate rescue efforts. Investigations would later focus on mechanical failure as a key factor in the disaster.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

KLM Flight 844 crashes near Schouten Islands

July 16th, 1957 67 years ago

KLM Flight 844 was a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam to Sydney. On July 16, 1957, the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation aircraft crashed into the ocean off the Schouten Islands, which are located in present-day Indonesia, while en route. All 58 people aboard, including passengers and crew, were lost tragically. The cause of the crash was attributed to adverse weather conditions, which severely impacted visibility and flying conditions.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

United Air Lines Flight 615 crash near Decoto

August 24th, 1951 73 years ago

United Air Lines Flight 615, a Douglas DC-6, crashed near Decoto, California, resulting in the deaths of all 50 individuals on board. The aircraft was en route from Los Angeles to San Francisco when it encountered severe weather and lost altitude rapidly, leading to the tragic accident. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the airplane in distress before it crashed just short of the Hayward Airport, causing extensive debris field and igniting a fire upon impact.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

SS Volturno Catches Fire in Mid-Atlantic

October 9th, 1913 111 years ago

The SS Volturno, a passenger liner en route from Europe to America, caught fire in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. The blaze erupted due to an electrical fault, leading to chaotic evacuations. A nearby ship, the SS W. M. F. Wilhelmina, responded swiftly, resuming rescue operations for those stranded. Eventually, 300 passengers were saved, showcasing maritime heroism amid disaster.

Continue Reading