30 Facts About The Biggest Plane Crashes

The Deadliest Plane Crashes in History

Air travel is generally safe, but some tragic events have left a lasting impact. Here are some of the most devastating plane crashes in history.

1. Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977): Two Boeing 747s collided on the runway, killing 583 people. This remains the deadliest aviation accident in history.

2. Japan Airlines Flight 123 (1985): A mechanical failure led to the crash of a Boeing 747, resulting in 520 deaths. It's the deadliest single-aircraft accident.

3. Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996): Two planes collided over India, killing 349 people. This incident led to significant changes in air traffic control procedures.

Notable Crashes Involving Terrorism

Terrorism has also played a role in some of the most infamous plane crashes. These events have changed security protocols worldwide.

4. September 11 Attacks (2001): Four planes were hijacked, leading to the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. This event drastically changed global aviation security.

5. Pan Am Flight 103 (1988): A bomb exploded on this flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. It highlighted the need for better baggage screening.

6. Air India Flight 182 (1985): A bomb caused this Boeing 747 to crash into the Atlantic Ocean, killing 329 people. It remains the deadliest aviation incident involving a bomb.

Crashes Due to Mechanical Failures

Mechanical failures have also been responsible for some catastrophic plane crashes. These incidents have led to improvements in aircraft design and maintenance.

7. American Airlines Flight 191 (1979): An engine detached during takeoff, causing the plane to crash and killing 273 people. This led to changes in maintenance procedures.

8. United Airlines Flight 232 (1989): A catastrophic engine failure led to a crash landing, killing 111 of the 296 people on board. The crew's efforts are often cited as an example of excellent crisis management.

9. Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (1974): A cargo door failure caused this DC-10 to crash, killing 346 people. This incident led to design changes in cargo doors.

Crashes Involving Pilot Error

Human error is another significant factor in many plane crashes. These incidents have led to better training and stricter regulations.

10. Air France Flight 447 (2009): Pilot error during a storm led to the crash of this Airbus A330, killing all 228 people on board. This incident highlighted the need for better pilot training in handling high-altitude stalls.

11. Korean Air Flight 801 (1997): Pilot error during an approach in poor weather led to this crash, killing 228 of the 254 people on board. It emphasized the importance of proper approach procedures.

12. Asiana Airlines Flight 214 (2013): Pilot error during landing led to this crash, killing three people and injuring many others. This incident highlighted the need for better training in manual flying skills.

Crashes Due to Weather Conditions

Weather can be unpredictable and has led to several tragic plane crashes. These incidents have led to advancements in weather forecasting and pilot training.

13. Southern Airways Flight 242 (1977): A severe thunderstorm caused this DC-9 to crash, killing 72 people. This incident highlighted the dangers of flying through severe weather.

14. Delta Air Lines Flight 191 (1985): A microburst caused this L-1011 to crash during landing, killing 137 people. This led to improvements in wind shear detection technology.

15. Air Florida Flight 90 (1982): Icing on the wings caused this Boeing 737 to crash shortly after takeoff, killing 78 people. This incident led to better de-icing procedures.

Crashes Involving Mid-Air Collisions

Mid-air collisions, though rare, have resulted in some of the deadliest aviation accidents. These incidents have led to improvements in air traffic control and collision avoidance systems.

16. Grand Canyon Collision (1956): Two planes collided over the Grand Canyon, killing 128 people. This incident led to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

17. Überlingen Mid-Air Collision (2002): A passenger plane and a cargo plane collided over Germany, killing 71 people. This incident led to changes in air traffic control procedures.

18. Zagreb Mid-Air Collision (1976): Two planes collided over Croatia, killing 176 people. This incident highlighted the need for better communication between air traffic controllers and pilots.

Crashes Involving Fuel Issues

Fuel-related issues have also caused several plane crashes. These incidents have led to better fuel management practices and emergency procedures.

19. Air Canada Flight 143 (1983): A fuel miscalculation caused this Boeing 767 to run out of fuel mid-flight. The crew managed to glide the plane to a safe landing, earning it the nickname "Gimli Glider."

20. Avianca Flight 52 (1990): Fuel exhaustion caused this Boeing 707 to crash, killing 73 people. This incident highlighted the importance of proper fuel management and communication with air traffic control.

21. TACA Flight 110 (1988): A Boeing 737 ran out of fuel due to severe weather, but the crew managed to land safely on a levee. This incident is often cited as an example of excellent airmanship.

Crashes Involving Structural Failures

Structural failures have also led to some catastrophic plane crashes. These incidents have led to improvements in aircraft design and maintenance.

22. Aloha Airlines Flight 243 (1988): A structural failure caused a section of the fuselage to tear off mid-flight. Remarkably, the crew managed to land the plane safely, with only one fatality.

23. China Airlines Flight 611 (2002): A structural failure caused this Boeing 747 to break apart mid-flight, killing all 225 people on board. This incident highlighted the importance of proper maintenance and inspections.

24. United Airlines Flight 811 (1989): A cargo door failure caused a section of the fuselage to tear off mid-flight, killing nine people. This incident led to design changes in cargo doors.

Crashes Involving Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)

Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) occurs when an aircraft, under pilot control, unintentionally flies into the ground. These incidents have led to advancements in terrain awareness and warning systems.

25. American Airlines Flight 965 (1995): CFIT caused this Boeing 757 to crash into a mountain in Colombia, killing 159 people. This incident highlighted the need for better navigation aids and procedures.

26. Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 (1997): CFIT caused this Airbus A300 to crash into a mountain in Indonesia, killing 234 people. This incident emphasized the importance of proper approach procedures and terrain awareness.

27. Air New Zealand Flight 901 (1979): CFIT caused this DC-10 to crash into Mount Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 257 people on board. This incident led to improvements in navigation and flight planning.

Crashes Involving Hijackings

Hijackings have also resulted in some tragic plane crashes. These incidents have led to significant changes in aviation security.

28. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 (1996): Hijackers forced this Boeing 767 to crash into the Indian Ocean, killing 125 people. This incident highlighted the need for better security measures.

29. EgyptAir Flight 648 (1985): Hijackers caused this Boeing 737 to crash during a rescue attempt, killing 60 people. This incident emphasized the importance of proper crisis management.

30. Indian Airlines Flight 814 (1999): Hijackers forced this Airbus A300 to land in multiple countries before releasing the hostages. This incident led to changes in international aviation security protocols.

Lessons from the Skies

Understanding the biggest plane crashes teaches us about aviation safety and human resilience. Each incident, while tragic, has led to improvements in air travel protocols, making flying safer for everyone. From better communication systems to more rigorous maintenance checks, these changes save lives.

Remember the heroes—pilots, crew, and passengers—who acted bravely in dire situations. Their stories inspire us and remind us of the importance of preparedness and courage.

Next time you board a plane, think about the advancements that make your journey safer. Appreciate the lessons learned from past tragedies. They’ve shaped the aviation industry into what it is today—a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of safety.

Flying remains one of the safest modes of travel, thanks to the hard-earned lessons from these unfortunate events.