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Airplanes are some of the most significant examples of human ingenuity on the planet. In a combination of physics and pure force, these massive metal monoliths are able to rise into the sky and soar great distances in a short time. But the safety that passengers feel while flying today was hard-won. While history has been full of some truly devastating disasters, some atrocious airplane accidents have helped the world of aviation to become a safer place.
What are the biggest flight disasters to have caused changes in policy? Click through this gallery to find out.
In 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed just outside of Paris after an improperly latched cargo door blew off, causing the cabin pressure to drop and ultimately leading to the collapse of a section of the cabin floor. The crash killed all 346 on board.
The design flaw in the cargo door latching mechanism was identified as the cause of the disaster. The accident led to redesigns of cargo door mechanisms on wide-body aircraft and stricter protocols for ensuring that cargo doors are properly secured before flight.
The 1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision between United Airlines Flight 718 and TWA Flight 2 marked a pivotal moment in aviation history, especially considering it resulted in 128 fatalities. The pilots from both airplanes had decided to rely on visual flying rather than their instruments, which meant that they were unable to communicate with air traffic control.
The collision exposed the inadequacies of air traffic control systems and spurred the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Consequently, significant advancements were made, including improved radar technology and more stringent air traffic regulations.
The Tenerife airport disaster is the deadliest aviation accident in history, and it involved the collision of two Boeing 747s on a Los Rodeos Airport runway in Tenerife on March 27, 1977, resulting in 583 fatalities.
Miscommunication between the air traffic control and the flight crews (combined with poor visibility due to fog) were key factors. This tragedy led to significant changes in cockpit communication protocols and the standardization of English as the universal language for aviation.
As Air Canada Flight 797 was flying over Kentucky in 1983, a fire started behind the bathrooms near the front side of the plane. After the plane made an emergency landing and the doors were opened, the rush of fresh oxygen caused the interior cabin to become engulfed in flame, killing 23 passengers.
Following the disaster, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made it mandatory for all planes to have smoke detectors installed in the lavatories, as well as better fire-resistant materials in aircraft cabins and enhanced emergency lighting.
In 1985, British Airtours Flight 328 caught fire as the plane was taking off from the runway, resulting in 55 fatalities mainly due to smoke inhalation. Even though the pilot followed the correct procedure, the plane’s seats were placed too close together, which made it impossible for passengers to evacuate.
Consequently, significant changes were made, including the introduction of fire-retardant seat materials and also an improved internal layout so that evacuation would be easier.
While en route from Tokyo to Osaka on August 12, 1985, Japan Airlines Flight 123 suffered a catastrophic failure when an improperly repaired rear bulkhead ruptured, causing an explosive decompression and loss of control. The crash resulted in 520 deaths, the highest number of fatalities from a single aircraft accident.
The disaster highlighted the importance of rigorous maintenance standards and led to improvements in aircraft design. More specifically, mandatory protocols were put in place to ensure that older aircraft are maintained properly.
Another disaster caused by poor aircraft maintenance occurred in 1988 in the skies over Hawaii, when a large section of the roof blew off of Aloha Airlines Flight 243. The plane was able to land safely, and only one person died, while 65 others were injured.
Investigators of the disaster placed the blame on age-related wear and tear. As a result of the incident, FAA created the National Aging Aircraft Research Program to closely monitor older aircraft.
Shortly after taking off from New York on July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 230 on board. Investigations determined that the cause of the accident was an explosion of the center fuel tank due to a short circuit.
Federal officials quickly issued a new safety requirement after the incident that changed the design of aircraft fuel tanks. The changes included the installation of new equipment to prevent fuel tank explosions.
The second-deadliest aviation accident in US history is attributed to American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed in 2001 shortly after takeoff in New York City. The accident was caused by the flight’s first officer, who applied too much force the plane’s rudder, causing it to snap off.
All 260 passengers onboard and five bystanders on the ground perished. Many airlines subsequently updated their pilot training programs to ensure that pilots would adhere to regulations and safety standards.
During a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by Russian forces as the plane passed over Ukraine. All 298 people on board were killed.
In response to the tragedy, aviation authorities and airlines implemented stricter risk assessments for flight paths to ensure that planes avoid areas of active conflict.
While en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in 2009, Air France Flight 447 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 228 on board. The accident was caused by a combination of pilot error and faulty airspeed sensors, which caused the airplane to stall midair.
The investigation spurred enhancements in pilot training for high-altitude stall recovery and also led to strict regulations for flight control systems, especially those that are obsolete or old.
On July 19, 1989, a manufacturing defect on the tail-mounted engine of United Airlines Flight 232 resulted in a complete loss of flight controls. Of the 296 passengers and crew on board, 112 perished in the subsequent crash.
The incident is considered to be a good example of successful crew management during an emergency. Modern aircraft designs now incorporate multiple backup systems for critical controls, and pilot training includes handling of complete hydraulic failures.
Shortly after taking off from Chicago O’Hare Airport on May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 crashed when an engine detached from the wing and severed the plane’s hydraulic lines, leading to a loss of control. The crash killed all 271 aboard and two on the ground, and it was attributed to improper maintenance procedures.
Much like many aviation disasters that are caused by maintenance concerns, the incident prompted stricter regulatory oversight of airline maintenance practices and led to the development of more robust engine pylons and mounting mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences.
Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed all 259 on board and 11 on the ground. The bombing exposed vulnerabilities in airport security and baggage handling procedures.
International aviation authorities implemented stringent security measures, including enhanced passenger screening, improved baggage inspection technologies, and tighter controls on access to aircraft. These changes significantly bolstered the security framework of global air travel.
In 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared while flying to Beijing, sparking one of aviation's greatest mysteries. The cause of the airplane’s disappearance is unknown, and the incident highlighted significant gaps in global flight tracking and communication systems.
In response, aviation authorities mandated improvements, including the introduction of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS), which keeps track of aircraft as they travel in real-time.
Sources: (CNN) (The Ohio State University) (BBC) (History.com)
See also: How to survive a natural disaster
Plane accidents that changed aviation laws
Sometimes progress only comes after tragedy
LIFESTYLE Flight
Airplanes are some of the most significant examples of human ingenuity on the planet. In a combination of physics and pure force, these massive metal monoliths are able to rise into the sky and soar great distances in a short time. But the safety that passengers feel while flying today was hard-won. While history has been full of some truly devastating disasters, some atrocious airplane accidents have helped the world of aviation to become a safer place.
What are the biggest flight disasters to have caused changes in policy? Click through this gallery to find out.