Fact Check: Major Aviation Disasters Explained and Verified

Air France Flight 590. On July 25th, 2000, Air France Flight 590, a Concord jet, was set to fly from Paris to New

York. It was a charter flight carrying 100 passengers, mostly German tourists, heading for a cruise along with nine

crew members. As the Concord was taking off, it ran over a metal strip that had fallen from the Continental Airlines

DC10 that had departed earlier. This debris caused one of the Concord tires to burst. The exploding tire sent debris

flying, which hit the underside of the left wing and punctured a fuel tank. The leaking fuel caught fire, creating

flames under the wing. Even though two of its four engines lost power, the Concord was already moving too fast to

stop safely, so it had to take off. But with the fire, damaged engines, and landing gear that wouldn't retract, the

plane couldn't climb properly. Just 2 minutes after taking off, it crashed into a hotel in Gonice, France.

Tragically, all 109 people on board and four people on the ground lost their lives. Investigators found that the

crash happened because the metal piece left on the runway punctured the tire. When the tire exploded, pieces of it hit

the wing, breaking the fuel tank and causing a fire. The fire led to engine failure, which made it impossible to

control the plane. Experts also noted that the Concord was very heavy at takeoff, which made the situation even

worse. American Airlines Flight 587. American Airlines flight 587 was a regular flight from New York's JFK

airport to Sento Domingo in the Dominican Republic on November 12th, 2001. Most of the passengers were

Dominican Americans traveling back home. The plane, an Airbus A300600R, had 260 people on board,

including nine crew members. The flight took off shortly after Japan Airlines Boeing 747. As it climbed, it

encountered turbulence from the larger plane. The first officer who was flying reacted by moving the rudder, the part

of the tail that helped steer back and forth too aggressively. This put extreme pressure on the plane's vertical

stabilizer, causing it to break off. Without the tail, the aircraft became impossible to control. Within seconds,

both engines also broke off due to stress. And within minutes, the plane crashed into the Bell Harbor

neighborhood in Queens, killing everyone on board and five people on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board

investigated and found that the crash was caused by the first officer's excessive rudder movements, which put

too much force on the tail. They also discovered that the rudder system on this type of Airbus was very sensitive,

making the problem worse. The report pointed out that American Airlines's pilot training may have encouraged

overly aggressive responses to turbulence, which contributed to the accident. Alaska Airlines Flight 261.

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 was a regular flight from Puerto Varta, Mexico to Seattle, Washington with a stop in San

Francisco on January 31st, 2000. The flight was operated by Macdonald Douglas MD83, carrying 83 passengers and five

crew members, making a total of 88 people on board. The plane had been flying since 1992 and had logged over

26,000 flight hours. While cruising at 31,000 ft, the pilots began experiencing issues with the horizontal stabilizer. A

critical part of the tail that controls the plane's up and down movement. They tried to fix the issue, but the

stabilizer got stuck, causing the plane to dive suddenly. The pilots managed to pull it back up, but the problem wasn't

solved. A few minutes later, a critical part called the jack screw, which controls the stabilizer, completely

failed. With no way to control the plane's pitch, it went into a deep dive and crashed into the Pacific Ocean near

Anakappa Island, California. Sadly, all 88 people on board lost their lives. The National Transportation Safety Board

investigated the crash and found that the jack screw assembly had worn out because it wasn't properly lubricated.

This happened because Alaska Airlines had stretched out its maintenance schedule, and the FAA had approved those

longer gaps between inspections. The NTSB concluded that the crash was caused by loss of pitch control due to this

failure. Experts blamed both Alaska Airlines and the FAA for allowing maintenance schedules that put safety at

risk. The investigation also revealed that the MD-80 series aircraft didn't have a backup system to prevent such

failures. As a result, the NTSB recommended stricter maintenance rules, better oversight, and design

improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Singapore Airlines Flight 006. Singapore Airlines

Flight 006 was a scheduled flight from Singapore to Los Angeles with a stop in Taipei, Taiwan on October 31st, 2000.

The flight was operated by a Boeing 747412, carrying 159 passengers and 20 crew members, making a total of 179

people on board. The aircraft had been in service since 1997 and featured a special tropical library to promote the

airlines cabin services. During heavy rain and strong winds from the typhoon Zang Sain, the plane was cleared for

takeoff from runway 05L. However, due to poor visibility and possible confusion with taxiway signs, the pilots

mistakenly lined up on runway 05R, which was closed for maintenance and had construction equipment on it without

realizing their mistake. They began their takeoff. A few seconds later, the plane crashed into construction vehicles

like excavators and bulldozers, breaking apart and catching fire. Tragically, 83 people lost their lives, while 96

survived, some with serious injuries. Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council investigated the crash and found several

key reasons behind it. The pilots misidentified the runway and didn't double check their position before

takeoff. The typhoon made visibility worse, making it harder to see ground markings. The closed runway didn't have

enough lighting and clear signs to show it wasn't in use. Additionally, the airport lacked a ground radar system

that could have alerted air traffic controllers to the mistake. Experts concluded that a mix of human error, bad

weather, and poor airport infrastructure caused the accident. As a result, safety recommendations were made to improve

runway signage, lighting, and radar systems to prevent such tragedies in the future. China Airlines Flight 611. China

Airlines Flight 611 was a passenger flight from Taipei, Taiwan to Hong Kong. On May 25th, 2002, the flight was

operated by a Boeing 747209B, an aircraft that had been flying since 1979 and had completed

around 64,810 flight hours. On board were 206 passengers and 19 crew members, making a

total of 225 people. The plane departed from Taipei bound for Hong Kong with an expected arrival in just over an hour.

However, about 20 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 35,000 ft, it suddenly disappeared from radar.

Investigators later discovered that the aircraft had broken apart midair and crashed into the Taiwan Strait about 23

mi northeast of Ponghoo Islands. Sadly, no one survived. Taiwan's aviation safety council investigated the crash

and found that the plane had suffered damage 22 years earlier. Back in 1980, during a landing in Hong Kong, the

aircraft's tail had hit the ground, damaging the rear fuse lodge. Instead of properly replacing the damaged section

as Boeing recommended, a quick fix was applied. A doubler plate was placed over the damaged area. Over time, cracks

formed in the structure. And on May 25th, 2002, those cracks finally gave way, causing the plane to break apart in

the air. Experts stressed how important it is to follow proper maintenance and repair guidelines to keep aircraft safe.

The investigation report pointed out that the incorrect repair and lack of proper inspections led to the disaster.

Helios Airways Flight 522. On August 14th, 2005, Helios Airways Flight 522 was flying from Cypress to Prague with a

planned stop in Athens. The Boeing 737 had 121 people on board, including 115 passengers and six crew members. The

plane took off and began its climb, but something went wrong. The cabin wasn't pressurizing properly because the

systems had been accidentally left in manual mode instead of auto. This caused oxygen levels to drop slowly, leading to

hypoxia, a condition where people don't get enough oxygen. The pilots thought the warning alarm meant something else

and didn't put on their oxygen masks. Eventually, the crew and passengers lost consciousness, and the plane continued

flying on on autopilot. It circled over Athens for some time until it ran out of fuel, crashing into a hillside near

Graatico, Greece. Sadly, everyone on board lost their lives. Investigators later found that a ground engineer had

left the pressurization system on manual mode during maintenance, and the pilots didn't notice it during their pre-flight

checks. Since the plane's warning sounds were similar for different problems, the pilots misunderstood what was happening.

Experts stressed the importance of better warning systems, thorough pre-flight checks, and proper

maintenance to prevent such tragedies in the future. TAM Airlines Flight 3054. On July 17th, 2007, TAM Airlines flight

3054 was flying from Porto Aliggree to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Airbus A320 had 187 people on board, including 181

passengers and six crew members. The plane landed at Congas Airport during rainy conditions. But instead of slowing

down, it kept moving too fast and veered to the left. It went past the end of the runway, crossed a busy road, and crashed

into TAM Express warehouse and a gas station. The crash caused a massive fire and tragically all 187 people on the

plane and 12 of the ground lost their lives. This became the deadliest plane crash in Brazil's history. Investigators

later found that one of the engine controls was left in the wrong position when the plane landed. The right engine

stayed in climb mode, which kept pushing the plane forward while the left engine was set to idle. Because of this, the

plane couldn't slow down properly. On top of that, the systems that helped the plane stop after landing didn't

activate. The runway also didn't have proper grooves to drain rainwater, making it even harder for the plane to

break. Experts concluded that pilot error and poor runway conditions played a big role in the accident. The tragedy

showed the need for better landing procedures, proper aircraft maintenance, and airport improvements to prevent

similar disasters in the future. Air France Flight 447. Air France Flight 447 was flying from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

to Paris, France on June 1st, 2009. The Airbus A330 had 228 people on board, including 216 passengers and 12 crew

members. While flying over the Atlantic Ocean at 35,000 ft, the plane encountered severe weather. Ice crystals

blocked the sensors that measured air speed, causing the autopilot and automatic throttle to turn off. The

pilots had to take control manually, but they made incorrect movements that caused the plane to lose lift and go

into a stall. Even though the warning systems alerted them multiple times, they didn't realize the plane was

stalling and didn't take the right steps to fix it. The aircraft continued to descend until it crashed into the ocean,

tragically killing everyone on board. Investigators from France's aviation safety board found several key issues.

The block sensors led to wrong airspeed readings, confusing the pilots. Instead of following proper procedures, the

pilots made control inputs that made things worse. They also didn't realize that the plane had stalled and didn't

take the actions needed to recover. Experts stressed the need for better pilot training, especially in flying

manually at high altitudes and dealing with incorrect airspeed readings. The investigation also pointed out the

importance of better communication between aircraft makers, airlines, and pilots to make sure training and

procedures are as effective as possible. Comair flight 5191. On August 27th, 2006, comair flight 5191 flying as

Delta Connection was set to travel from Lexington, Kentucky to Atlanta, Georgia. The plane was a Bombardier CRJ 100 ER

with 50 people on board, 47 passengers and three crew members. The pilots were cleared to take off from runway 22,

which was suitable for commercial flights. However, they accidentally turned on to runway 26, which was much

shorter and mainly used for smaller planes. This runway didn't have lights, but the pilot still started their

takeoff. The plane didn't have enough room to gain speed needed for liftoff, so it ran off the end of the runway,

crashed into a fence and trees, and caught fire. Sadly, 49 people died and only the first officer, James Polleni,

survived with serious injuries. Investigators from the NTSB found that the pilots didn't properly check their

location before takeoff. They also got distracted by unrelated conversations while taxiing, which made them lose

awareness of where they were. Another issue was that air traffic control didn't have a rule requiring specific

clearance for crossing runways, which could have prevented the mistake. Malaysia Airlines flight 17. On July

17th, 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight 17 took off from Amsterdam's Chipotle airport heading for Koala Lumpura,

Malaysia. It was a routine flight carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members. Some were on vacation, others

were visiting family and many were just passing through on their way to different parts of Asia. The plane, a

Boeing 77 2000 ER, was in great condition, and the journey was supposed to take about 11 1/2 hours. At 33,000 ft

over eastern Ukraine, MH17 was flying along a common route used by many airlines. But on the ground, a war was

raging between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists. Something went terribly wrong. A massive explosion tore

through the cockpit, instantly breaking the front of the plane apart. The sudden decompression knocked out anyone nearby,

and within moments, the aircraft started falling apart. Wreckage and bodies fell over a 20 square mile area near Haraba,

Ukraine. People on the ground saw the horrifying scene with debris and human remains raining down. Investigators

worked fast to find out what happened. Experts confirmed that MH17 was shot down by a BU missile which exploded near

the cockpit, killing the pilots instantly and tearing the plane apart. The missile launcher was tracked back to

Russia's 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade and had been secretly moved into Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists

fired it, likely by mistake. After the attack, the launcher was quickly returned to Russia. In 2022, after years

of legal proceedings, a Dutch court convicted three men, two Russian and one Ukrainian, of murder and abscinita,

sentencing them to life in prison. The Russian government denied involvement, but overwhelming evidence confirmed that

the missile system was Russian supplied and that the separatist fighters were responsible for firing it. Malaysia

Airlines Flight 370. Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, also known as MH370, was a regular flight from Koala Lumpur,

Malaysia to Beijing, China on March 8th, 2014. It took off just after midnight with 239 people on board, 227 passengers

and 12 crew members. The flight was supposed to take about 6 hours, and most of the passengers were Chinese citizens.

Everything seemed normal at first, but about 40 minutes after takeoff, something strange happened. But then

about a few minutes into the flight, MH370's transponder stopped working and the plane vanished from air traffic

control radar. However, military radar picked it up taking a sharp turn west, flying back over Malaysia and toward the

Indian Ocean. Then it disappeared completely. Despite years of searching, the main wreckage has never been found,

making this one of the biggest mysteries in aviation history. Some answers did come later. In 2015 and 2016, pieces of

the plane washed up on beaches in Africa and islands in the Indian Ocean, suggesting it crashed somewhere in the

southern Indian Ocean. A 2018 investigation found that someone likely changed the plane's course on purpose,

but it couldn't say who or why. Many theories have emerged. Hijacking, pilot involvement, mechanical failure, but

there's no solid proof of what really happened. Now, a new search is about to begin. In early 2025, a company called

Ocean Infinity will use Advanced underwater drones to scan the ocean floor in a 2,200 square mile area.

They're operating under the no find, no fee deal, meaning they'll only get paid up to $70 million if they locate the

wreckage. After all these years, MH370 remains an unsolved mystery, and families of those on board are still

waiting for answers. German Wings Flight 9525. German Wings Flight 9525 was a regular

flight from Barcelona, Spain to Duceldorf, Germany on March 24th, 2015. It departed with 150 people on board,

including 144 passengers and six crew members. The journey was expected to take about 90 minutes, but halfway

through the climb, something went terribly wrong. As the plane reached 38,000 ft, the captain stepped out of

the cockpit, likely for a short break. That's when the co-pilot, Andreas Lupitz, locked the door from the inside

and wouldn't let him back in. Air traffic controllers tried to reach the plane, but Lubittz didn't respond. The

captain desperately tried to open the door, but the cockpit security rules made it impossible for the next 10

minutes. The plane kept descending, heading straight for the French Alps. At 10:41 a.m., it crashed near remote

mountain area about 60 mi northwest of Nice, killing everyone on board. Investigators later found that Lubets

had struggled with severe depression and had been ruled unfit to work by his doctor just before the flight, but he

never told his airline. The crash was ruled a deliberate act, sparking serious discussions about mental health

screenings for pilots and stronger safety measures in cockpits. Metrojet Flight 9268. Metrojet

Flight 9268 was a charter flight operated by Metrojet, a Russian airline. On October 31st, 2015, it took off from

Charm Al-Shik, Egypt early in the morning heading to St. Petersburg, Russia. There were 224 people on board,

217 passengers, including 25 children and seven crew members. Most of the passengers were Russian tourists flying

home after their vacations. Just 23 minutes after takeoff while cruising at 31,000 ft, the plane suddenly

disappeared from radar. Flight data showed strange altitude changes before it vanished. Wreckage was later found

scattered across a large area in the Sennai Peninsula, showing that the plane had broken apart midair. Sadly, no one

survived. Investigators from Russia, Egypt, and Airbus looked into the crash. On November 17th, 2015, Russian

officials confirmed that a bomb had exploded on board, causing the plane to break apart. They found traces of

explosives in the wreckage and determined that the blast was equivalent to 1 kg of TNT. A group linked to ISIS

later claimed responsibility, saying it was in retaliation for Russian military actions in Syria. In response, Russia

announced a $50 million reward for information about the attackers. This tragedy raised serious concerns about

airport security, especially in areas where terrorist threats are high. Many countries reviewed and strengthened

their security procedures to prevent similar attacks in the future. Egypt Airflight 804. On May 19th, 2016, Egypt

Airflight 804 took off from Paris Charles de Gaul airport heading to Cairo, Egypt. It was a routine overnight

flight carrying 66 people, 56 passengers from different countries including Egypt, France, and Canada along with 10

crew members. About 2 hours and 40 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 37,000 ft over the Mediterranean Sea,

the plane suddenly vanished from radar. There were no distress signals. Greek air traffic controllers later reported

that the aircraft made sharp turns 90° left, then 360° right before dropping quickly. Soon after, debris and human

remains were found in the sea about 180 mi north of Alexandria, Egypt. Sadly, there were no survivors. The

investigation involved experts from Egypt, France, and other international agencies. Early data from the aircraft

system showed smoke in the laboratory and avionics bay just before the crash, hinting at a possible in-flight fire. In

December 2016, Egyptian officials claimed they found traces of explosives on the victims, suggesting terrorism.

However, French investigators disagreed, saying there was no evidence of a bomb. In April 2022, a new report suggested

that a cockpit fire may have caused the crash. Investigators believe that a lit cigarette combined with an oxygen leak

from a faulty oxygen mask could have sparked the fire. Smoking in the cockpit was reportedly common among Egyptian

pilots at the time. Even today, experts still debate if it was really an accident or something more

sinister. Asiana Airlines Flight 214. On July 6th, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 took off from Inian International

Airport in South Korea, heading to San Francisco International Airport in the United States. It was a routine

trans-Pacific flight carrying 307 people, 291 passengers, and 16 crew members, including both business and

leisure travelers. As the Boeing 77200 ER approached San Francisco, something went terribly wrong. During landing, the

plane's main landing gear and tail struck the seaw wall just before the runway. The impact ripped off the tail,

causing the aircraft to spin out of control before crashing off the runway. A fire broke out, mainly on the right

side of the plane. Tragically, three passengers lost their lives and 187 others were injured, 49 of them

seriously. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the crash and found that the pilots mismanaged the

landing. The plane was flying too low and too slow, partly because the auto throttle system wasn't properly engaged.

By the time the crew realized the danger, it was too late to fix it. Investigators also pointed out the

problems with Aiana Airlines's pilot training. The pilots weren't fully trained to handle automated flight

systems, which may have confused them during landing. The NTSB stressed the importance of better training so pilots

can fully understand and control the aircraft's automation, especially during critical moments like landing. Ethiopian

Airlines flight 302. On March 10th, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 took off from Adabul International Airport

heading to Joo Kinetta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. The flight was operated using a Boeing 737 Max 8

and carried 157 people, 149 passengers, and eight crew members. Among them were business travelers, tourists, and United

Nations personnel. Just 6 minutes after takeoff, the plane began to fly erratically. With sudden altitude

changes and unusually high speed, then the aircraft's nose pitched downward. Despite the pilots's desperate attempts

to pull up, the plane crashed near Bashtu, about 40 mi southeast of Adizaba. Sadly, no one survived.

Investigators from Ethiopia, the US, and France analyzed the flight data and cockpit voice recordings. The findings

pointed to a failure in the angle of attack sensor, which fed wrong data to an automated system called MCCAST,

designed to prevent stalls. Instead, MCCAST repeatedly forced the nose down, overriding the pilots's commands. This

was eerily similar to the Lion Airflight 610 crash just 5 months earlier. In December 2022, Ethiopian authorities

confirmed that MCCAST was the direct cause of the crash, noting that the pilots followed all Boeing's recommended

procedures, but still couldn't regain control. The US National Transportation Safety Board agreed, but added that the

faulty AOA sensors may have been damaged by a bird strike, something the final report did not mention. UPS Airlines

Flight 1354. On August 14th, 2013, UPS Airlines flight 1354 was on a routine overnight cargo flight from Louisville,

Kentucky to Birmingham, Alabama. The aircraft, an Airbus A300600F, was part of UPS logistics

network carrying freight across the country. The flight crew included 58-year-old Captain Chietta Beal Jr. and

37-year-old First Officer Shondaanda Fanning. While approaching runway 18 in Birmingham, the aircraft descended too

low, missing its intended glide path. The pilots, using a non-precision approach without vertical guidance,

failed to notice their dangerously low altitude. Moments later, the plane clipped trees and crashed into a hilly

terrain. About a mile from the runway, the aircraft exploded upon impact, killing both crew members. Thankfully,

as a cargo flight, there were no passengers on board. The NTSB investigation found that pilot fatigue

played a key role in the crash. The crew had not rested properly before their shift, likely due to circadian rhythm

disruption. Investigators also noted that the pilots didn't monitor their altitude correctly, leading to a loss of

situational awareness, adding to the challenge. Runway 18 lacked a precision approach system, making it even harder

to land safely in the pre-dawn darkness. Seratov Airlines Flight 703. On February 11th, 2018, Saratov Airlines Flight 703

took off from Moscow's Demand Deva Airport heading to Orsk, a city near the Kazakhstan border. The plane, an Antinov

148100B, had 65 passengers and six crew members on board. But just 6 minutes into the flight, something went terribly

wrong. The plane had climbed to 19,400 ft at 230 mph, but then it suddenly started losing altitude fast. Witnesses

saw it engulfed in flames as it crashed near the villages of Arganovo and Stephenovsko. Sadly, everyone on board

was killed. Investigators quickly got to work. The Interstate Aviation Committee recovered the black boxes the next day.

What they found was alarming. The pilot's tube heaters, which stopped airspeed sensors from freezing, had

never been turned on. Because of this, the sensors froze up, feeding the pilots conflicting speed readings. One

indicator showed the plane speeding up. Another showed it slowing down, and a third showed nothing at all. With no

clear idea of how fast they were going, the pilots lost control and the plane went down. The final report released on

June 27th, 2019 confirmed the cause. The crew's incorrect reaction to faulty airspeed readings led to the crash. But

that wasn't the only issue. Saratov Airlines also had major safety failures, including poor risk management and weak

crew training. After the crash, the airline grounded all N148 planes. But the problem didn't stop there. Further

inspection found more violations. And on June 1st, 2018, Saratov Airlines lost its operating license, shutting it down

for good. American Eagle Flight 5342. On the night of January 29th, 2025, American Eagle Flight 5342 operated by

PSA Airlines was flying from Witchah, Kansas to Washington DC. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, had 60 passengers and

four crew members on board. Many of them were coming back from the US Figure Skating Championships in Witchah,

including well-known skaters and coaches. As the plane was getting ready to land at Ronald Dragon, Washington

National Airport, it collided midair with a US Army Blackhawk helicopter. The helicopter from the 12th Aviation

Battalion was on a night training mission after taking off from Davidson Army Airfield in Virginia. The crash

happened about a mile and a half from the runway at an altitude of 300 ft. Witnesses said they saw an explosion and

debris fell into the icy PTMac River. Emergency crews, including firefighters, the US Coast Guard, and local rescue

teams, rushed to the scene, but freezing temperatures and strong winds made it hard to search for survivors in the

water. Sadly, all 67 people on both aircraft. 64 on the passenger plane and three in the helicopter lost their

lives. The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation with the FAA and the Department of

Defense. They recovered the flight recorders from flight 5342 to find out what went wrong. Early reports show that

air traffic control had told the helicopter to keep clear of the plane, but what exactly led to the crash is

still under investigation. Juju Airflight 2216. Juju Airflight 2216 was a regular flight from

Bangkok, Thailand to Muan, South Korea, mostly carrying South Korean tourists returning home from holiday trips. On

December 29th, 2024, the Boeing 737800 had 175 passengers and six crew members on board. As the plane got close to Muan

International Airport, air traffic control warned the pilots about birds in the area. Soon after, the pilots

reported that birds had hit the plane and declared an emergency. They tried to go around for another landing attempt,

but the landing gear wouldn't come down. The plane had to land without its wheels, sliding on its belly. It touched

down too far from the runway and couldn't slow down in time. It went off the end of the runway, crashed into a

concrete structure and exploded. Sadly, all 179 people, including all passengers and four crew members, lost their lives.

Only two flight attendants at the back of the plane survived when that part broke off from the rest of the aircraft.

Investigators from South Korea, along with US experts in Boeing, looked into what happened. The flight recorders

stopped working about 4 minutes before the crash, likely because the plane lost all power. They found bird remains in

both engines belonging to a type of migratory duck called the bcal teal. This confirmed that a bird strike had

caused both engines to fail leading to the crash. Experts also pointed out that the concrete structure the plane hit

should have been designed to break on impact which might have reduced the severity of the crash. Investigators

also raised concerns about bird strikes at Muan International Airport which has the highest rate of such incidents among

South Korea's regional airports. Azerbayan Airlines flight 8243. Azerbayan Airlines flight 8243 was a

passenger flight from Baku Azerbayan to Grazni, Russia. On December 25th, 2024, the Ember Air 190 AR took off with 62

passengers and five crew members, mostly people traveling for business or holiday visits. About a few minutes into the

flight, as the plane entered Russian airspace near Graznney, the pilots noticed their GPS signals were being

blocked, likely due to jamming. The weather was foggy, making it hard to see. And after two failed attempts to

land, they tried a third time. That's when passengers and crew heard an explosion, and the plane was badly

damaged. The pilots, thinking they had hit a bird, declared an emergency landing and tried to land at Makage Kala

Airport in Dagistan. But bad weather made it impossible. So they changed course to Akaw airport in Kazakhstan. On

the way, the plane lost all hydraulic systems, making it very difficult to control. The pilots had to steer using

the engines alone. And 4 hours later, the plane crashed while trying to land near Acttow airport, exploding on

impact. Sadly, 38 people, including both pilots and a flight attendant, lost their lives, while 29 passengers and two

crew cabin members survived with injuries. Investigators from Azerbayan along with the international experts

found strong evidence that the plane was hit by an external attack. The wreckage had holes that didn't match a bird

strike, but looked like shrapnel damage from a missile. Experts later identified pieces of a Russian Pancer S1 air

defense missile in the debris. Survivors also confirmed they heard an explosion before the crash. After these findings,

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Azer Bayani President Ilam Ali, calling it a tragic

incident, but without admitting direct responsibility. Yeti Airlines flight 691. Yeti Airlines flight 691 was a

domestic flight in Nepal traveling from catchmandeue to newly opened Pokara International Airport. On January 15th,

2023, the ATR 72500 aircraft took off with 68 passengers and four crew members. Among the passengers were 53

Nepales and 15 foreigners from India, Russia, South Korea, Argentina, Australia, France, and Ireland. As the

plane approached Pokera, it was originally cleared to land on one runway, but the captain requested to use

a different one. While making the final approach, videos captured the aircraft suddenly tilting sharply to the left

before crashing into a river gorge just 700 ft from the airport. Sadly, all 72 people on board lost their lives, making

it Nepal's deadliest air crash since 1992 and the worst accident involving an ATR72 aircraft. Nepal's aircraft

accident investigation commission with help from international experts launched a detailed investigation. They recovered

and analyzed the flight recorders and found that during landing the pilots flying asked for the flaps to be

extended to slow the plane down. However, instead of adjusting the correct lever, the other pilot

accidentally moved the engine controls causing both propellers to lose power. This mistake left the plane without

thrust leading to an aerodynamic stall that couldn't be recovered in time. The final report released on December 28th,

2023 pointed to several issues, including high workload, lack of proper training, poor teamwork between pilots,

and failure to follow standard procedures. Investigators also found that the approach path the pilots used

wasn't approved by the airline or aviation authorities. Experts have since stressed the need for better pilot

training, stricter safety regulations, and improved oversight to help prevent such tragedies in the future.

China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735. China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 was a domestic flight in China traveling from

Kuning to Guangha on March 21st, 2022. The Boeing 737800 took off at 1:15 p.m. with 123 passengers and nine crew

members on board. The flight was scheduled to land in Guanggha later that afternoon. About an hour into the

journey, while flying at 29,100 ft, the plane suddenly went into a steep dive near Wuhou in the Guang Xi region,

flight data showed the aircraft dropping at an extremely fast rate, over 31,000 ft per minute. It briefly leveled off,

but then continued its descent, crashing into a mountainous area. The crash caused a huge fire in the forest, and

sadly, all 132 people on board lost their lives. It became one of the deadliest air disasters in China's

recent history. China's aviation authorities launched an investigation with help from experts including the US

National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing. Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were

recovered, though they were badly damaged. A preliminary report released on April 20th, 2022 confirmed that the

plane was well-maintained, the crew was properly trained, and there were no dangerous materials on board. Weather

conditions were also normal at the time of the crash. In May 2022, reports from US officials suggested that someone in

the cockpit may have intentionally caused the crash based on flight data. However, Chinese authorities have not

confirmed this, stating that the investigation is still ongoing with no final conclusions yet. Pegasus Airlines

flight 2193. Pegasus Airlines flight 2193 was a domestic flight in Turkey traveling from Isizmir to East Ambul on

February 5th, 2020. The Boeing 73786J took off with 177 passengers and six crew members and everything seemed

normal until it was time to land in East Ambul. The plane attempted to land at Sabia Gokchin airport in bad weather.

Heavy rain and strong tailwinds made conditions challenging but the pilots proceeded with the landing. But after

touching down, the plane didn't slow down as expected. It skidded off the end of the runway and tumbled down a 328 ft

embankment. The impact broke the fuse launch into three pieces and a fire started, but emergency teams quickly put

it out. Three passengers lost their lives and 179 others were injured. An investigation later found that two other

planes had tried to land at the same airport just before flight 2193, but had to abort due to the bad weather. Reports

also showed that the pilots didn't apply manual braking for 6 seconds after landing. Because of the strong tailwind,

the plane kept moving too fast, and by the time they applied the brakes, it was too late to stop the overrun.

Ukraine International Airlines flight 752. On January 8th, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 took

off from Tehran, Iran, heading to Kiev, Ukraine. The Boeing 737800 carried 176 people, 167 passengers, and nine crew

members from several countries, including Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan, and the UK. Just 2 minutes

after takeoff, the plane was hit by two missiles fired by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpse. The first

missile struck near the cockpit, cutting off communication and tracking signals. The crew had no time to react and the

plane crashed into a field near the village of Kal Jabad. Sadly, everyone on board lost their lives. The attack

happened during a time of high tension between the US and Iran following a US strike that killed an Iranian general.

At first, Iran denied responsibility, saying the crash was due to technical problems. But after evidence from

intelligence sources and video footage surfaced, Iran admitted 3 days later that its military had mistakenly shot

down the plane, thinking it was a threat. Iran's investigation blamed human error, pointing to a radar system

mistake and miscommunication in the IRGC's air defense unit. The plane had been flying normally and didn't go off

course. The incident sparked global outrage. In April 2023, an Iranian military court sentenced 10 people

involved in the attack to prison with the commander of the air defense unit receiving the longest sentence. However,

families of the victims criticized the trial, saying it lacked transparency and real

justice. Gold Coast midair collision. On January 2nd, 2023, two sightseeing helicopters from SeaWorld helicopters

crashed into each other near the SeaWorld theme park in Gold Coast, Australia. These helicopters were flying

short tours, giving passengers scenic views of the area. The crash happened when one helicopter was taking off while

the other was landing. The one taking off had only been in the air for about 23 seconds when its roer blades hit the

front of the other helicopter. This caused the airborne helicopter to break apart and crash onto a sandbar, killing

all four people on board, including the pilot. The landing helicopter, though heavily damaged, managed to land safely

on the sandbar. All six people inside survived, but three had serious injuries, while others had minor ones.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau started an investigation to find out what went wrong. Early reports showed

that the main rotor blades of the departing helicopter struck the front of the arriving one. Investigators are

looking into whether the pilots could see each other, how well they were communicating, and if the flights were

following proper procedures. They also found traces of cocaine in the system of the pilot who died. But experts say this

alone doesn't prove he was impaired at the time of the crash. Northwestern Airflight 738. Northwestern

Airflight 738 was a chartered flight using a British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft registered as

CFNAA. On January 23rd, 2024, the flight was carrying workers from Fort Smith airport in the Northwest Territories to

the Davic Diamond Mine about 186 mi northeast of Yellow Knife, Canada. The flight was arranged by the Riot Tinto

Group to transport mine workers to the remote site. Just after takeoff from runway 30 at Fort Smith airport, the

plane reached about 140 ft in altitude and a speed of 160 knots. However, it suddenly lost control, hit trees about

3,78 ft from the end of the runway and crashed 4,150 ft away. The crash was followed by a massive fire that

destroyed around 80% of the wreckage. Sadly, six of the seven people on board, including two crew members and four

passengers, lost their lives. The only survivor was thrown from the aircraft during the crash. They had minor

injuries and were taken to Fort Smith Health Center before being airlifted to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellow

Knife for further treatment. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada started an investigation, sending a team

led by investigator Jeremy Warington to the crash site. Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were

recovered and analyzed. In April 2024, the TSB released a preliminary report confirming that the plane couldn't gain

enough altitude after takeoff, leading to the crash. Investigators are looking at various factors such as the

aircraft's performance, weight and balance, weather conditions, and possible mechanical issues. The

investigation is still ongoing with the TSP working to find the cause of the crash and recommend safety improvements

to prevent similar accidents in the future.