A team of U.S. investigators is being assembled to assist South Korea’s inquiry into the recent plane crash. This incident occurred during the same week as another tragic event involving an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of 38 lives. While such accidents are fortunately rare, with the average American facing a one in 11 million chance of being involved in a plane crash, the consequences are always devastating. PBS reports on the statistics, shedding light on the infrequency of these occurrences.
Looking back at some of the most harrowing and fatal plane crashes in recent history, we are reminded of the Tenerife Airport disaster of 1977. On the Canary Island of Tenerife, a KLM Boeing 747 attempted to take off amidst heavy fog, colliding with a Pan Am 747 on the runway, leading to a tragic loss of 583 lives. This catastrophic event serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in air travel.
Another heartbreaking incident was the Japan Airlines Flight 123 disaster in 1985. Just 12 minutes after departing from Tokyo, the plane suffered an explosive decompression, causing it to crash into remote, mountainous terrain in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Of the 524 individuals on board, only four survived, making it one of the most devastating air disasters in Japanese aviation history.
The mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in 2014 remains a haunting enigma. Vanishing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, the Boeing 777 carried 227 passengers and 12 crew members, sparking a global search effort that continues to this day. Despite over a decade passing since its disappearance, the fate of those aboard remains unknown, with Malaysia’s Minister of Transport announcing plans to resume the search.
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001, American Airlines Flight 587 tragically crashed in Queens, New York. Bound for the Dominican Republic, the Airbus A300 went down in a residential neighborhood, claiming the lives of all 260 individuals on board, along with five individuals on the ground. The profound impact of this event reverberated through a nation still reeling from the recent acts of terrorism.
The year 2000 witnessed the devastating loss of all 88 passengers and crew on Alaska Airlines Flight 261. En route from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco, the flight tragically nosedived into the Pacific Ocean near Anacapa Island, California. A subsequent investigation revealed a combination of human, technical, and organizational factors contributing to this tragic crash, highlighting the complex nature of aviation safety.
As we reflect on these tragic events, it is crucial to remember the lives lost and the lasting impact on families, communities, and the aviation industry as a whole. Each incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with air travel and the ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
Greta Cross, reporting for USA TODAY, contributed to this article, originally published on the publication
