With an accident rate of something like one in a million flights, flying has become almost the safest way to travel; yet history is replete with tragic moments that arose from failed safety systems, sudden unforeseen weather turns, or moments when human errors chose to stand between death and life. Those tragic moments, some so grim as to take away thousands of lives, had laid the foundation for the evolution of aviation protocols, safety concepts, and engineering designs. Presented here is an extensive detail of the world’s top 10 deadliest and most terrifying plane crashes corresponding to their causes, repercussions, and historical implications.
1. Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977)
The Tenerife airport disaster is the hurricane that swept 583 lives into the abyss of tragedy. On March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747 jumbo jets-one operated by KLM, the other by Pan Am-collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport in the Canary Islands. The explosion caused by terrorism at an airport nearby induced the diversion of many flights, including the said 747s, to Tenerife, resulting in a heavy congestion.
Miscommunication, thick fog, and assumptions by the KLM pilot led to the aircraft commencing takeoff while the Pan Am jet was still taxiing on the same runway. The collision caused a massive explosion. This tragedy stressed the urgency of having standard operating communication channels instituted in all aviation incarnations, resulting in major reforms in cockpit resource management and air communication.
2. Japan Airlines Flight 123 (1985)
On August 12, 1985, the Boeing 747 of Japan Airlines Flight 123 went off the air and crashed into Mount Takamagahara, killing 520 out of the 524 people on board and becoming the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history. The crash occurred when a pressure bulkhead, that had not been properly repaired, gave way and ruptured mid-flight; explosive decompression resulted.
The vertical stabilizer was sheared away and with it all the hydraulic controls were lost by the pilots; they struggled for nearly half an-hour to keep the aircraft in a glider-like condition before it struck the ramp; this incident showed the magnitude of faulty maintenance procedures and led to stricter aerospace companies regulations in aircraft repairs.
3. Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996)
One of the most tragic midair collisions in aviation history occurred over Charkhi Dadri on the 12th of November 1996. A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 collided with a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin Il-76, killing all 349 passengers and crews on both aircraft. The Kazakh aircraft had descended below its assigned altitude and into the flight path of the Saudi aircraft.
The crash was brought about by miscommunication caused by a language barrier and the lack of radar coverage. This increased emphasis on implementation of the air traffic collision avoidance system, a first for India, and focus on language proficiency for pilots in the aftermath of the disaster.
4. Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (1974)
On 3rd March 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed near Paris in the Ermenonville Forest, taking with it 346 souls on board to death. The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 experienced a cargo door failure and subsequent explosive decompression, which cut control cables, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The mishap was the result of a faulty cargo door latch that gave way under pressure. This tragedy led to major modifications in the design of the DC-10 series and forced regulatory authorities to reconsider aircraft certification procedures.
5. Saudi Arabian Flight 163 (1980)
Almost immediately after liftoff on August 19, 1980, an inflight fire erupted aboard Saudi Arabian Flight 163. With great effort, the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar managed to land safely; however, all 301 passengers and crew were killed due to delays in evacuation. The cabin began filling with smoke and fire while the aircraft was still taxiing. The inability to order the opening of the door immediately after landing culminated in horrendous loss of life. This event resulted in the establishment of new international standards covering emergency evacuations, onboard fire detection, and crew training.
6. Air India Flight 182 (1985)
On 23 June 1985, it was bombed by Sikh extremists, leaving all 329 persons on board dead. The Boeing 747 disintegrated in mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean off Ireland. The tragedy still remains the greatest act of aviation terrorism before 9/11. Critical gaps in airline security screening and intelligence coordination were exposed. This particular incident convinced a number of countries, including Canada, to make changes to airport security and anti-terrorism efforts.
The bombing of Air India Flight 182 marked the worst act of aviation terrorism until the attacks of 9/11.
7. Iran Air Flight 655 (1988)
On July 3, 1988, Iran Air Flight 655 was erroneously shot down by a U.S. Navy cruiser, the USS Vincennes, leading to the deaths of 290 passengers and crew. The Airbus A300 had been on a regular flight when mistaken for a hostile aircraft. The incident caused an uproar politically and prevented much-needed goodwill between Iran and the United States. It raised serious questions about the protocols for military action in the protection of civilian flights in conflict zones.
8. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (2014)
The most enigmatic of aviation incidents occurred on March 8, 2014, when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished with 239 people during the passage from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite thorough international search, only scattered debris were discovered, and the plane’s exact location remains unknown. This incident gave rise to a worldwide re-looking into flight tracking technologies, pushing home the need for aircrafts to report their position in real-time.
9. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 (2014)
On July 17, 2014, another tragic incident hit Malaysia Airlines: MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine during conflict in the region. The Boeing 777 was hit by a surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 persons on board. The act was condemned by the international community, and the tragedy showcased the risks of flying over conflict zones. Subsequently, it brought about international sound protocols on the management of flight paths in the course of armed conflicts.
10. American Airlines Flight 191 (1979)
American Airlines Flight 191 crashed shortly after taking off from Chicago O’Hare Airport on May 25, 1979. Two hundred and seventy-three lives were lost in the accident. The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 lost its left engine during takeoff, resulting in catastrophic failure of flight controls.
The investigation revealed that improper maintenance caused separation of the engine pylon and systemic flaws in aircraft design contributed to the loss of control. As a result of the accident, the DC-10 was grounded temporarily while maintenance and inspection procedures were being thoroughly reviewed.
Each accident has had lasting implications within the global aviation field. These catastrophes meant an incalculable loss of life; yet they had the power to trigger crucial enhancements in designing aircraft, training pilots, operating communication systems, instituting maintenance procedures, and regulating aviation.
There is a great deal of safety in today’s aircraft and flight operations, much of that safety attributed to lessons that have been learned through these unbelievably tragic incidents. Although it is beyond our capacity to undo what has occurred in the past, these incidents will always further remind us of the importance of being vigilant, innovative, and accountable within aviation safety.
