Flying a commercial airplane is very safe; in fact, most people are more likely to be involved in a car accident than an airplane crash. Over the years, flying has become extremely safe in part due to past accidents. Here’s a look at five of those crashes that changed aviation safety and triggered massive safety improvements.
TWA Flight 2 and United Flight 718
In 1956, two planes took off from Los Angeles just minutes apart traveling east. While flying over the Grand Canyon and attempting to give passengers a passing glimpse of the Grand Canyon, the two collided, killing all 128 individuals aboard both planes. The crash led to a $250 million upgrade of the air traffic control system and the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Air Canada Flight 797
In 1983 a routine flight became a disaster when smoke started drifting out of a lavatory. Very soon after, thick black smoke filled the cabin. The plane made an emergency descent in Cincinnati but while on the ground, the fuselage burst into flames, killing 23 people. After this tragic accident, the FAA required smoke sensors to be placed in all commercial airplane lavatories.
Aloha Flight 243
Plane inspections and maintenance requirements were enhanced after the bizarre incident of Aloha Flight 243 in 1986. In mid-air, a large section of the fuselage detached from the airplane, leaving passengers in the open air and killing one flight attendant who was instantly swept away.
Aeromexico Flight 498
This accident also took place in 1986 when a flight was approaching the runway during bad weather conditions. A strong downdraft caused the plane to lose airspeed and sink, hitting the ground about a mile short of the runway. The crash caused the plane to bounce across a highway and eventually skidded into two huge water tanks. One motorist was killed along with 134 of the 163 people onboard the plane. The crash prompted the research and development of wind-shear detectors that are currently standard on all commercial airplanes.
TWA Flight 800
Perhaps the most well-known crash recently (it took place in 1996), TWA Flight 800 was Paris-bound when it went down in midair just minutes from taking off at JFK. The accident killed all 230 passengers on board and a subsequent investigation found that a short circuit led to a spark that caused the explosion. The accident spurred technology (such as the arc fault breaker developed by LiveWire) aimed at reducing faulty wiring.
