Hold onto your hats—we’re about to embark on a thrilling yet sobering journey through aviation history’s most tragic plane crashes. Brace yourself for stories of human heroism and technological advancements born from the ashes of the 10 deadliest plane crashes.
10 Deadliest Plane Crashes
Table of Contents
#1. Tenerife airport disaster | KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736
On March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The impact and resulting fire killed everyone on board KLM Flight 4805 and most of the occupants of Pan Am Flight 1736, with only 61 survivors in the front section of the aircraft. This disaster is the deadliest accident in aviation history, with 583 fatalities.
The collision occurred when KLM Flight 4805 initiated its takeoff run during dense fog while Pan Am Flight 1736 was still on the runway. The primary cause of the accident was the KLM captain’s decision to take off in the mistaken belief that a takeoff clearance from air traffic control (ATC) had been issued. The subsequent investigation by Spanish authorities concluded that the KLM captain’s decision was the primary cause of the accident.
The Tenerife airport disaster is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety in aviation. It highlights the need for clear communication, effective decision-making, and proper training for all personnel involved in air travel. As we remember the victims of this disaster, let us also honor their memory by striving to make air travel safer for everyone.
#2. Japan Air Lines Flight 123-Plane Crash
The passengers of Japan Air Lines Flight 123 were in high spirits as they boarded the Boeing 747 on August 12, 1985. Little did they know that their journey would end in tragedy.
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Tokyo to Osaka, Japan. The aircraft, featuring a high-density seating configuration, was carrying 524 people. The flight had 15 crew members, including 3 cockpit crew and 12 cabin crew. The total number of passengers was 509. Unfortunately, the plane had a pre-existing issue that would prove fatal.
Twelve minutes into the flight, the Boeing 747 suffered a severe structural failure and decompression. After flying under minimal control for a further 32 minutes, the 747 crashed in the area of Mount Takamagahara, 100 kilometers (62 mi; 54 nmi) from Tokyo. The crash killed 15 crew and 505 passengers. Some of the passengers survived the initial impact but died hours later while awaiting rescue. All four survivors were seriously injured.
The aftermath of the crash was devastating. The Japanese government was criticized for its slow response to the disaster, and the airline was criticized for its handling of the situation. The crash led to several changes in the aviation industry, including improvements in aircraft design and maintenance and increased emphasis on crew training and communication.
The crash of Japan Air Lines Flight 123 is a stark reminder of the importance of safety in the aviation industry. It highlights the need for constant vigilance and improved aircraft design, maintenance, and crew training. The tragedy also serves as a tribute to the victims and their families, who continue to mourn their loss.
#3. Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crash
Turkish Airlines Flight 981 was a scheduled flight from Istanbul to London with an intermediate stop in Paris. On March 3, 1974, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 suffered a severe structural failure and decompression shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport. The cargo door on the plane’s left side burst open and broke off, causing an explosive decompression that severed critical cables necessary to control the aircraft. All 346 people on board died. The cause of the crash was a design flaw and failure by ground engineers to ensure the door was in the locked position before takeoff. The crash led to several changes in the aviation industry, including improvements in aircraft design and maintenance, and increased emphasis on crew training and communication.
#4. Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision | Saudia Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907
Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision occurred on November 12, 1996, over the village of Charkhi Dadri, around 100 km (62 mi; 54 nmi) west of Delhi. The collision happened between Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747-100B from Delhi to Dhahran (Saudi Arabia) and Kazakhstan Airlines Illyushin II-76 from Chimkent, Kazakhstan, to Delhi. The crash killed all 349 people on board both planes, making it the world’s deadliest mid-air collision. The cause of the crash was the crew members on the Kazakhstan Airlines aircraft failing to maintain the altitude assigned by air traffic control. The crash led to a number of changes in the aviation industry, including improvements in aircraft design and maintenance, and increased emphasis on crew training and communication. The crash also resulted in the implementation of Travel Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) in all aircraft. This device alerts pilots if an aircraft is intruding into their airspace.
#5. Air India Flight 182 crash
On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-237B VT-EFO, disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean as a result of an explosion from a bomb planted by Canadian Sikh terrorists. The incident happened en route from Montreal to London at an altitude of 31,000 feet (9,400 m). The remnants of the aircraft fell into the sea approximately 190 kilometres (120 miles) off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people on board.
The bombing of Air India Flight 182 is the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history, the deadliest aviation incident in the history of and was the world’s deadliest act of aviation terrorism until the September 11 attacks. The crash raises important questions about safety concerns, technological advancements, and human vulnerability. It is a reminder that aviation safety is a critical issue that requires constant attention and improvement. The incident also highlights the need for international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The crash of Air India Flight 182 was a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences. It is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of safety in aviation. The incident will always be remembered as a dark day in aviation history.
#6. Saudia Flight 163
On August 19, 1980, Saudia Flight 163, a Lockheed L-1011-200 TriStar, caught fire after takeoff from Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The incident happened en route from Quaid-E-Azam Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, to Jeddah International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Riyadh International Airport. Although the aircraft made a successful emergency landing at Riyadh, the flight crew failed to perform an emergency evacuation of the airplane, leading to the deaths of all 287 passengers and 14 crew on board the aircraft from smoke inhalation.
The crash of Saudia Flight 163 is the deadliest aviation accident involving a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar and the deadliest to occur in Saudi Arabia. The incident raises important questions about safety concerns, technological advancements, and human vulnerability. It is a reminder that aviation safety is a critical issue that requires constant attention and improvement. The incident also highlights the need for international cooperation in the fight against aviation disasters.
In conclusion, the crash of Saudia Flight 163 was a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences. It is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of safety in aviation. The incident will always be remembered as a dark day in aviation history.
#7. American Airlines Flight 191
On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10, crashed near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, killing all 258 passengers and 13 crew members on board, as well as two individuals on the ground1. The crash was caused by the detachment of the left engine from the wing, which led to a loss of control and ultimately the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the engine separation was due to improper maintenance procedures at American Airlines
#8. China Airlines Flight 611
China Airlines Flight 611 was a scheduled passenger flight from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport. On May 25, 2002, the Boeing 747-209B operating the route disintegrated in midair and crashed into the Taiwan Strait, killing all 225 people on board. The in-flight break-up was caused by metal fatigue cracks resulting from improper repairs to the aircraft 22 years earlier. The crash remains the deadliest in Taiwanese history, as well as the most recent accident with fatalities involving China Airlines.
This tragedy is a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety checks in the aviation industry. It is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
#9. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was a flight that vanished into thin air, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a world in shock. The plane, carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing . The search for the missing aircraft spanned thousands of miles and involved multiple countries, but despite the best efforts of search and rescue teams, the fate of the plane remains unknown.
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is a tragedy that has left many people wondering what happened to the plane and its passengers. The incident has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories and speculation, with some suggesting that the plane was hijacked or shot down, while others believe that it was deliberately crashed by the pilot. However, no conclusive evidence has been found to support any of these theories.
The loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is a stark reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of safety and security in the aviation industry. It is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
#10. Korean Air Flight 007
Korean Air Flight 007 was a scheduled passenger flight from New York City to Seoul via Anchorage, Alaska. On September 1, 1983, the Boeing 747 airliner was shot down by Soviet air-to-air missiles near Sakhalin Island, Russia, killing all 269 passengers and crew on board 12. The plane had strayed more than 200 miles from its scheduled path and entered Soviet airspace, leading to the tragic incident 2.
The crash of Korean Air Flight 007 is a stark reminder of the importance of safety and security in the aviation industry. It is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.