Air travel, which we love so dearly, is an irreplaceable means to experience beautiful scenery and cultures around the world. However, in its history, there have been sad events we should never forget. Today, I’d like to introduce five of the most tragic accidents in the history of civil aviation.
By looking back at these accidents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the advancements in aviation safety technology and why we can enjoy air travel with peace of mind today. I also present this article with a sentiment of remembrance for those who lost their lives in these tragedies.
1. Tenerife Airport Disaster (March 27, 1977)
Known as the worst disaster in civil aviation history, this collision between two Boeing 747 aircraft occurred at Tenerife Airport in Spain’s Canary Islands.
On that day, a bombing incident at Gran Canaria Airport caused many aircraft to divert to Tenerife Airport. Among them were KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flight 4805 and Pan American Airways Flight 1736.
Amid poor visibility due to dense fog, the KLM aircraft began its takeoff roll. However, the Pan American aircraft was still on the runway. The KLM pilot had misunderstood the air traffic controller’s instructions and initiated takeoff before receiving clearance.
As a result, the two aircraft collided on the runway, claiming 583 precious lives. Following this accident, communication methods between pilots and air traffic controllers were significantly revised, establishing the strict procedures we have today.
2. Japan Airlines Flight 123 Crash (August 12, 1985)
This crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 had the highest number of fatalities for a single aircraft accident.
Japan Airlines Flight 123, operated by a Boeing 747SR, suffered a catastrophic failure of the rear pressure bulkhead about 12 minutes after taking off from Haneda Airport. This led to a complete loss of hydraulic systems, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable.
The pilots continued desperate attempts to control the aircraft, but approximately 30 minutes later, it crashed into Mount Osutaka in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture. Of the 520 passengers and crew, only 4 survived.
The cause of this accident was traced to improper repair of tail strike damage that had occurred seven years earlier. Following this incident, aircraft maintenance inspection systems were reviewed and made more stringent worldwide.
3. Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 Mid-Air Collision (November 12, 1996)
This was an extremely rare mid-air collision between two jumbo jets that occurred near Charkhi Dadri, India. Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 was en route from Delhi to Dhahran, while Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 was heading from Shymkent to Delhi.
The Kazakhstan aircraft continued descending beyond its assigned altitude, causing the two planes to collide at an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters. Both aircraft crashed, resulting in the deaths of all 349 passengers and crew members.
After this accident, measures to prevent mid-air collisions were strengthened, including improvements to air traffic control systems and mandatory installation of collision avoidance systems.
4. Air France Flight 447 Crash (June 1, 2009)
A relatively recent accident was the crash of Air France Flight 447.
The Airbus A330 aircraft, traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, suddenly disappeared from radar over the Atlantic Ocean. Initially, it took time to determine the cause, but the truth was revealed two years later when the flight recorders were recovered from the ocean floor.
The aircraft encountered turbulence, and the pitot tubes (airspeed sensors) iced over. This caused the airspeed indicators to malfunction, and the autopilot disengaged. The pilots became confused and were unable to respond appropriately, causing the aircraft to stall. It crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, and all 228 people on board perished.
Following this accident, pilot training for adverse weather conditions was enhanced, and improvements were made to pitot tubes.
5. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Shootdown (July 17, 2014)
Finally, I’ll introduce the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shootdown incident. This could be described more as a tragedy caught in conflict rather than an accident.
The Boeing 777 aircraft, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while flying over eastern Ukraine. All 298 passengers and crew members lost their lives.
At the time, fighting was ongoing in the region between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian armed groups, and the civilian aircraft became caught in the crossfire. This incident sparked international discussions regarding flight routes over conflict zones.
In Conclusion: For Safe Air Travel
These tragic accidents claimed many precious lives. However, through thorough investigation and analysis of each accident, aviation safety technology has improved dramatically.
Besides the accidents introduced here, there have been numerous airplane crashes that have claimed many lives. The fact that we can enjoy air travel with peace of mind today is arguably built upon safety enhancements made in response to such accidents. For all travel enthusiasts, I hope you’ll reflect on the importance of aviation safety the next time you take to the skies.
And I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in these accidents.
