The 33 biggest air disasters that shocked the world

Air disasters are tragic milestones in aviation history, deeply impacting victims and leading to crucial changes in the industry. In this article, we will review the 33 biggest aviation accidents since the airship fire Hindenburg until the events involving the Boeing 737, exploring how these episodes shaped the evolution of aviation safety practices and standards.

Hindenburg airship disaster (1937)

The air disaster of Hindenburg was a tragic event that occurred on May 6, 1937, when the airship caught fire and crashed during an attempted landing in Lakehurst, Nova Jersey ( United States. The accident, which involved 97 people on board, resulted in the death of 36 of them, including passengers and crew. This event marked the end of the era of airships as a means of commercial transport, as public opinion turned against the use of these vehicles due to the high risk associated with hydrogen.

The accident is believed to have been caused by an electrostatic spark, which ignited the hydrogen used to keep the airship afloat. Hindenburg, which was making its last transatlantic voyage before being retired, was covered with a flammable material, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames and the destruction of the airship.

Additionally, a film was made about the accident called The Hindenburgg, which is available on Prime Video.

Crash of the world's first pressurized commercial airliner (1954)

Among the famous air accidents, the disasters involving the De Havilland Comet in the 1950s, he was among those who most marked the history of aviation. In 1954, two aircraft of this model, operated by different airlines, exploded in mid-flight due to structural failures, resulting in the deaths of 35 people in the first accident and 21 people in the second. These accidents occurred during routine flights, and investigations concluded that the tragedies were caused by metal fatigue in the windows and fuselage, aggravated by cabin pressurization.

These disasters had a significant impact on commercial aviation as the De Havilland Comet It was the first jetliner with a pressurized cabin. The tragedies helped shape safety and design practices, leading to structural improvements in aircraft and underscoring the importance of rigorous engineering standards to ensure the safety of commercial flights.

The writer J. Graham Cowell published a book where he gives more details about the accident, called De Havilland Comet: The World's First Jet Airliner.

Avianca DC-4 crash (1945)

One of the most shocking plane crashes occurred on September 6, 1945, when a DC-4 da Pan Am crashed during approach to the Galeao Airport, at Rio de Janeiro. The flight came from Buenos Aires to the city of Rio de Janeiro and was carrying 19 people on board. Of these, 13 lost their lives, including the three crew members and 10 passengers, while the others were seriously injured.

The disaster was the result of a combination of factors, including adverse weather conditions and navigation errors. During the flight, the aircraft encountered a dense layer of clouds and fog, which impaired the pilot's visibility and made it difficult for him to follow the correct route.

Comet 1 disaster (1954)

The disaster of the Comet 1 occurred on January 10, 1954, when a British-made passenger aircraft, the de Havilland Comet 1, crashed during a commercial flight over the Mediterranean Sea. This aircraft, the world's first commercial jet, was performing a scheduled flight from BOAC, operating the route from London to Johannesburg, with a stopover in Rome.

The investigation revealed that the main cause of the accident was a structural failure in the fuselage windows, which led to the disintegration of the aircraft in flight due to cabin pressurization and lack of structural strength. All 35 people on board (29 passengers and 6 crew members) died at the scene of the accident.

Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 810 crash (1956)

Another highlight among the major air disasters that marked history was the accident of Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 810, which occurred on December 9, 1956. At the time, an airplane Douglas DC-4 North Star crashed in a mountainous area near Mount Slesse, British Columbia, at to Canada. The flight departed Vancouver for Calgary, encountering adverse weather conditions, including snowstorms and strong winds.

As 62 people on board, including passengers and crew, died in the accident. The investigation concluded that the disaster was caused by a combination of mechanical failure, bad weather and the pilots' inability to divert from their route to avoid the mountainous area. This accident highlighted the need for improvements in navigation and communication technologies in adverse conditions, as well as enhanced pilot training for operating in extreme weather.

Cork disaster (1961)

The accident of the Sabena DC-7 is one of the air disasters that impacted the world. The plane, which was on a flight of Brussels to Casablanca, crashed on November 15, 1961, during a stopover in Cork, Ireland, where it would make a technical stop before continuing to its final destination.

The 61 people on board, 34 lost their lives, including passengers and crew members. The disaster was caused by a combination of mechanical failures and possible navigation errors, which resulted in the loss of control of the aircraft. The accident highlighted the need for improvements in the safety and maintenance of aviation systems.

TWA Flight 800 disaster (1962)

On March 15, 1962, the disaster occurred Boeing 707 da Trans World Airlines (TWA), which crashed during takeoff at the airport of Barcelona, the Spain. The flight, which was scheduled to go to New York, faced critical problems shortly after takeoff.

The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by a failure in the flap control system, which compromised the aircraft's ability to take off correctly. In addition, of the 111 people on board, 20 lost their lives, and the survivors suffered various injuries.

Japan Air Lines Flight 7 crash (1966)

The accident happened on March 5, 1966, when a Boeing 727-100 da Japan Air Lines (JAL) crashed while trying to land at the airport NahaOn Okinawa, Japan. The flight was on a domestic route between Okinawa and Tokyo and faced difficulties while approaching his final destination.

Of the 121 people on board, 50 lost their lives. The investigation revealed that the disaster was caused by a combination of factors, including navigational error and adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an incorrect approach and impact with a mountainous area.

United Airlines Flight 553 crash (1967)

In the accident that occurred in March 27, 1967, a Douglas DC-8-32 da United Airlines crashed during takeoff at Denver Airport, Colorado, while heading to Chicago. Of the 44 people on board, 34 lost their lives and 10 survivors suffered serious injuries.

The investigation concluded that the disaster was caused by a combination of pilot error, improper takeoff configuration, mechanical failures, and communication errors between the crew and air traffic controllers.

Tenerife plane crash (1977)

This was undoubtedly one of the most shocking plane crashes in history and occurred on March 27, 1977, becoming known as the Tenerife. The disaster involved two huge planes Boeing 747: one of the Pan Am and another from KLM. The collision occurred when the plane of the second airline was trying to take off and the one of the Pan Am was taxiing on the same runway, in dense fog.

This accident is the most fatal in aviation history and occurred at the airport The Rodeosin Canary Islands, Spain. Of the 644 people on board the two aircraft, 583 lost their lives. All 248 occupants of the KLM died, as did 335 of the 396 passengers and crew members on the flight Pan Am. The investigation revealed that the disaster was caused by a number of factors, including communication failures between flight crews and air traffic control.

Concorde crash (2000)

The Concorde disaster occurred on July 25, 2000, when a Concorde plane crashed. Air France crashed shortly after takeoff Charles de Gaulle Airport em Paris, France. The flight was destined for New York, EUA. In total, 113 people died in the accident, all 109 on board and 4 people on the ground. After the accident, the plane Concord was temporarily taken out of service to implement improvements in maintenance, aircraft inspection and runways.

The tragedy was caused by a piece of metal from an airplane DC-10 da Continental Airlines, which had fallen onto the runway during the previous takeoff. This debris caused a tire on the Concorde to burst, triggering a catastrophic chain of events. The tire fragment punctured the fuel tank, resulting in a fire that compromised the propulsion system and the aircraft's structure. Unable to gain altitude, the aircraft crashed nearby.

The documentary Concorde: The End of an Era provides a series of details about the accident and is available on YouTube.

Boeing 737 MAX crash (2018)

The accident occurred on October 29, 2018, in the sea of Java, the Indonesia. The plane crashed into the water shortly after takeoff. The investigation revealed that the disaster was caused by a failure in the flight control system, which mistakenly activated the plane's pitch-up mechanism (MCAS), forcing the aircraft's nose to repeatedly drop. Of the 189 people on board, all were killed.

Boeing 737 MAX crash (2019)

The disaster in question occurred on March 10, 2019, near Bishoftu, the Ethiopia. O Flight Ethiopian Airlines 302, also operated by a Boeing 737 MAX, crashed shortly after takeoff. Similar to the previous disaster, the investigation found that the MCAS system was activated erroneously due to a faulty sensor, resulting in the loss of control of the aircraft. Of the 157 people on board, all were killed.

The two accidents involving the Boeing 737 Max had a profound impact on global aviation. Following the second disaster, the aircraft was grounded worldwide, and investigations revealed significant flaws in the model's certification and safety. The extensive review of the aircraft resulted in substantial changes, including modifications to the system MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) and improvements in pilot training.

It is also worth mentioning that the documentary is on Netflix Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, which discusses the plane crashes and the resulting crisis.

Japan Airlines 123 disaster (1985)

The accident of the Japan Airlines Flight 123 is one of the most shocking, being the worst disaster involving only one plane. The fatality occurred on August 12, 1985, during a domestic flight from Tokyo a Osaka, at Japan. The cause of the accident was a critical structural failure, which led to an explosive decompression of the Boeing 747-SR.

After losing control, the plane disintegrated and crashed in a mountainous area about 100 km away. Tokyo. Of the 524 people on board, 520 died in the accident. The investigation revealed that maintenance and inspection practices on the Japan Airlines, and in aviation in general, needed to be reviewed. As a result, there was an intensification of safety regulations and aircraft maintenance and inspection practices.

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 967 crash (1996)

On November 23, 1996, a Boeing 767-200ER da Ethiopian Airlines fell into the Mediterranean Sea, near Cassiopeia Island, in Greece. The flight was on the route between Addis Ababa e Nairobi and faced difficulties during the approach.

Of the 175 people on board, 125 lost their lives. The investigation revealed that the disaster was caused by a number of factors, including a critical fuel system failure and a disagreement between the crew and air traffic control. After deviating from the flight plan due to technical problems and running out of fuel, the crew attempted an emergency landing but were unable to maintain control of the aircraft, which ended up crashing.

Germanwings Flight 9525 crash (2015)

The disaster of the Flight 9525 da Germanwings occurred on March 24, 2015, when a Airbus A320 fell in the French Alps during a flight of Barcelona, the Spain and also to Düsseldorf, the Germany. The accident was intentionally caused by the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, who locked the captain out of the cockpit and initiated a controlled descent, sending the plane into a vertical nosedive. The investigation revealed that Lubitz had hidden his history of mental health problems and was in a state of severe depression. Of the 150 people on board, all died.

in the documentary The Germanwing Flight 9525 Crash, available on YouTube, you can check out details about the accident and the circumstances surrounding it.

Crash of Air France Flight 447 (2009)

The disaster of the Air France Flight 447 occurred on June 1, 2009, when a Airbus A330-203 fell into the South Atlantic while performing a flight of Rio de Janeiro all with Paris. The aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions, including severe storms and turbulence.

The accident resulted in the deaths of all 228 people on board. The investigation revealed that the cause of the disaster was a combination of pilot error, failure of the speed warning systems, and extreme weather conditions. The crew struggled to control the plane due to a loss of crucial information during the storm.

September 11 attacks (2001)

Air disasters involving the Flight 11 da American Airlines, Flight 175 and Flight 93 da United Airlines shocked the world and occurred on September 11, 2001, as part of a coordinated attack by Al-Qaeda against the United States.

Flight 11, a Boeing 767, was hijacked and crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center em New York at 08:46, resulting in the tower falling at 09:59. Shortly thereafter, the Flight 175, also a Boeing 767, was hijacked and crashed into the South Tower of the same building at 09:03 a.m., causing the tower to collapse at 09:59 a.m. Both attacks resulted in nearly 3.000 deaths, including passengers, crew, and building workers.

O Flight 93 to Boeing 757, was also hijacked with the aim of hitting a target in Washington, D.C., possibly the U.S. Capitol. The flight crashed in a field in shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m., killing all 44 people on board, including 4 hijackers.

in the documentary 9/11, Available on YouTube, you can watch real-time footage of the impacts of September 11th.

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370)(2014)

Among the most shocking plane crashes, the Flight MH370 could not be left out. The accident happened on March 8, 2014 and is one of the greatest mysteries of modern aviation. The plane took off at 00:41 and lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff. The last recorded communication with the aircraft was at 01:19, and analysis of the last transmissions from the data tracking system revealed that it continued to fly for several hours before disappearing from the radar.

The disappearance of Flight MH370 generated one of the largest and most complex search efforts in aviation history. The operation involved several nations and focused on a vast area of ​​the The Indian Ocean, but so far it has not been possible to locate the plane or fully understand what happened. Of the 239 people on board, all have disappeared.

The documentary MH370: The Plane That Disappeared, from Netflix, explores in detail the mystery surrounding this accident that impacted the world.

Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crash (1974)

On March 3, 1974, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 da Turkish Airlines fell near Paris, France, while performing a flight of Istanbul all with London, with a stopover in the French capital. The accident was caused by a design flaw in the aircraft's cargo door, which disintegrated during flight due to a failure in the seal and closing mechanism. This caused a loss of cabin pressure and the collapse of the hydraulic systems, resulting in the loss of control and an uncontrolled fall of the plane.

Of the 346 people on board, all died in the accident. Boeing and McDonnell Douglas faced severe criticism for the lack of adequate corrective measures and inadequate design of the cargo door.

MH17 attack (2014)

The plane crash happened on July 17, 2014, when a Boeing 777 da Malaysia Airlines was shot down while performing a flight Amsterdam, the The Netherlands and also to Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysia. The aircraft crashed in a separatist-controlled area in the Donetsk, the Ucrania, during the armed conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.

The investigation revealed that the plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired in Ukraine, resulting in the almost instantaneous disintegration of the aircraft. Analysis of the missile fragments and tracks at the scene confirmed that the shot was fired from the separatist-controlled region. All 298 people on board were killed.

TWA Flight 800 crash (1996)

O Flight 800 da TWA, carried out in a Boeing 747, occurred on July 17, 1996. The aircraft exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of Long IslandOn New York, shortly after takeoff of the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Of the 230 people on board, all died in the accident.

The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by an explosion in the aircraft's central fuel compartment. The failure was triggered by a short circuit in the electrical wiring, which caused a leak. A spark ignited fuel vapors in the compartment, resulting in the tank exploding. This destroyed the aircraft's fuselage and led to the crash. Faults in the design of the fuel system and the management of fuel vapors were subsequently identified.

Furthermore, the documentary TWA Flight 800, which is available on Prime Video, discusses the disaster and the subsequent investigation.

Air New Zealand Flight 901 crash (1979)

The disaster of the Flight 901 occurred on November 28, 1979, when a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 da Air New Zealand collided with the Mount Erebus, a mountain in the Antarctica, during a tourist flight from Christchurch, the New Zealand, to Antarctica. The accident resulted in the deaths of all 257 people on board.

The cause of the accident was a combination of navigation errors and miscommunication between the crew and air traffic control. The plane, which had little information about the weather conditions, took an incorrect route and approached the Mount Erebus at a very low altitude for mountainous regions, causing the collision.

Pan Am Flight 6 disaster (1952)

The disaster of the Pan Am Flight 6 occurred on March 9, 1952, when a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser da Pan Am fell into the Atlantic Ocean, while on an international flight from Hong Kong for California. The aircraft was in mid-flight when it lost control and disintegrated, resulting in the death of all 31 people on board, including passengers and crew.

The investigation revealed that the accident was caused by a failure in the cabin pressurization system, which led to rapid decompression and loss of control. The failure was attributed to inadequate maintenance issues.

PSA Flight 182 disaster (1978)

The disaster of the Flight 182 da United Airlines occurred on September 25, 1978, when a Boeing 727, carrying out a flight of Chicago all with San Diego, collided with a Cessna 172, which resulted in the crash of the Boeing and the death of all 135 people on board, in addition to 7 people on the ground. The other aircraft, the Cessna, also crashed, resulting in the death of its two occupants.

The investigation revealed that the accident was caused by a series of communication errors and coordination failures between air traffic control and the aircraft. In addition, the Cessna was flying without clearance for the altitude and route in question and entered the commercial flight traffic area without proper communication with controllers.

Cubana Airlines Flight 455 bombing (1980)

The disaster of the Flight 455 da Cubana de Aviacion took place on October 6, 1980. The flight, operated by a DC-8, carried out an international route of Barbados all with Cuba. The plane exploded in mid-air over the coast of Florida, resulting in the death of all 73 people on board.

This accident had a significant historical impact, being one of the deadliest terrorist attacks of the 1980s. The attack was attributed to the anti-Castro group CORU, based on Venezuela, with connections to CIA and opposition to the regime Fidel Castro in Cuba. The event generated great international repercussions and highlighted the political tensions and conflicts of Cold War.

Explosion of Philippine Airlines Flight 143 (1990)

The accident occurred on February 11, 1990, involving a Boeing 737 on a domestic flight from Manila all with davaoin Work shirts / service shirts. The plane experienced a loss of engine power due to a maintenance failure and incorrect fuel calculation, resulting in a critical situation where the aircraft ran out of fuel to complete the flight.

Despite considerable damage to the aircraft, all 131 passengers and crew members survived the crash, as the pilot managed to successfully perform a forced landing.

TAM Flight 3054 Accident (2007)

On July 17, 2007, one of the most notable air disasters in Brazil occurred with the TAM Flight 3054, involving a Airbus A320. The flight was on the domestic route from Porto Alegre all with São Paulo and faced adverse weather conditions during landing at Congonhas Airport, as the track was wet due to heavy rain.

After a difficult landing, the plane overshot the end of the runway and crashed into a building. FULL, resulting in a massive explosion and fire. The accident killed all 187 people on board, as well as 12 people on the ground. The investigation led by the Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) revealed significant flaws that contributed to the disaster, including problems with the runway conditions and the aircraft's braking capabilities.

Varig Flight 254 crash (1989)

O Flight 254 da Varig, operated by a Boeing 737, part of São Paulo destined to Bethlehem, but deviated from its route and collided with the Serra do Cachimbo, the Amazon, on September 3, 1989. The accident resulted in the death of all 7 occupants on board (4 passengers and 3 crew members).

The investigation revealed that the plane flew for a long period off course due to navigation errors and communication failures. The main factor in the disaster was a navigation error, as the crew was confused about the plane's position and failed to correct the deviation. Investigators highlighted failures in communication with air traffic control and pilot fatigue and stress problems, which contributed to the deviation and collision with the mountain range.

Mamonas Assassinas Learjet Crash (1996)

The disaster of the Learjet 25D occurred on March 16, 1996 and involved a private jet carrying the Brazilian band Killer Castors. The flight, bound for the airport of Campinas, lost contact with the control tower and collided with the Serra da Cantareira, in São Paulo. There were 8 people on board: four band members and four companions. All occupants died in the accident.

The impact of the accident was profound and the tragedy caused widespread commotion, leaving thousands of fans of the band in mourning. The investigation revealed that the accident was caused by navigation errors and communication failures, which contributed to the collision with the mountain.

Gol Flight 1907 crash (2006)

The accident of the Flight 1907 da Gol occurred on September 29, 2006 and involved a Boeing 737, which collided with a jet Legacy 600 on Floresta amazônica. The plane Gol made the journey from Manaus protocols for Rio de Janeiro and crashed after the collision, resulting in the deaths of all 154 people on board. The jet managed to land safely, with its four occupants unharmed.

The investigation conducted by CENIPA revealed critical flaws in air traffic management, including communication and coordination problems between controllers and aircraft. In addition, the Legacy 600 was at an inappropriate altitude and there were failures in the radar system that made it difficult to detect the impending collision.

VoePass flight crash in Vinhedo (2024)

On August 9, 2024, a tragic plane crash occurred in Vineyard, São Paulo, involving a turboprop aircraft ATR-72 da voepass. The aircraft, which was following from rattlesnake (PR) all with Guarulhos (SP), fell into a condominium in the neighborhood Chapel, resulting in the death of all 62 people on board. The plane crash caused a major impact and became the plane crash with the highest number of victims since the tragedy of FULL in 2007.

The initial investigation indicates that the flight occurred without anomalies until the moment when the aircraft lost contact with the control tower and did not respond to calls, leading to the loss of the radar signal. CENIPA, responsible for the investigation, has not yet determined the exact cause of the accident. In addition, the ANAC confirmed that the aircraft complied with safety standards and the crew had all the necessary licenses.

Want to discuss the impacts of air disasters and the evolution of aviation safety? Leave your opinion in the comments and join the conversation! Also, take the opportunity to explore other articles from showmetech and stay up to date with the latest news and analysis from the world of technology.

Sources: G1, The Globe, Popular Mechanics

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Text revised by Rafael Braga in 26 / 08 / 2024.