8 Plane Crashes That Changed Aviation




  1. Creation of the FAA and $250 million upgrade of the air traffic control:In 1956 two planes collided while flying under “see-and-avoid” visual flight rules. In an attempt to give their passengers views of the Grand Canyong, one of the plane’s left wing and propellers ripped into the other plane’s tail. Both planes crashed into the Grand Canyon, killing all 128 aboard both planes.Following the accident, $250 million was poured into upgrading the air traffic control system and also spurred the creation of the Federal Aviation Agency (now Administration).





  2. Cockpit teamwork and communication:In 1973 a plane carrying 181 passengers circled near the airport as the crew tried to sort out a landing gear problem. As the plane circled for nearly an hour, the fuel supply was quickly diminishing. Cockpit team members tried to warn the captain of the problem, but the captain ignored their warnings and waited too long to begin his final approach. The plane ran out of fuel and killed 10 passengers after crashing into a suburb.Following the accident United Airlines unveiled their Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) concept, emphasizing teamwork amongst the cockpit team. CRM has now become industry standard.





  3. Mandatory lavatory smoke detectors:In 1983 a fire in the rear lavatory caused the plane to make an emergency descent. The pilot landed the plane in Cincinnati, but before all passengers could escape the plane, a flash fire erupted killing 23 of the 46 aboard the plane.Following the accident, the FAA mandated that all aircraft lavatories be equipped with smoke detectors and automatic fire extinguishers. Planes built after 1988 were specifically built with better flame-resistant interior materials as well as floor lighting to lead passengers to exits through thick smoke.





  4. Upgraded downdraft detection:In 1985 a plane encountered a strong downdraft and abrupt shift in the wind during a thunderstorm that caused the plane to lose airspeed quickly. The plane crashed a mile short of the runway, crushing a vehicle and killing the driver as well as 134 out of the 163 passengers aboard the plane.Following the accident, NASA/FAA began an intense seven-year research to devise the “on-board forward-looking radar wind-shear detectors” that are now standard equipment on all airliners.





  5. Mandatory collision-avoidance systems for small aircraft:In 1986 a small private plane collided with a major aircraft carrier, knocking off the plane’s left horizontal stabilizer. Both planes crashed into a residential neighborhood killing 82 people, including 15 people on the ground. Following the accident the FAA mandated that all small aircraft entering control areas must use transponders to broadcast their position to controllers. Airlines were also required to TCAS II collision-avoidance systems installed which had the capability to detect potential collisions with other transponder-equipped aircraft.





  6. Creation of the National Aging Aircraft Research Program:In 1988, a 19 year-old plane had a large portion of its fuselage blow off, leaving a dozen passengers riding in the open-air breeze. A flight attendant was swept out of the plane and killed, but the rest of the passengers were safe.Following the accident, the FAA began the National Aging Aircraft Research program that required strict inspection and maintenance requirements for high-use and high-cycle aircraft.





  7. Mandatory electrical spark elimination measures:In 1996 a plane that had just taken off from JFK headed to Paris killed all 230 people aboard when it blew up in midair for no apparent reason.Following the accident, it was discovered that a short circuit in a wire bundle led to a spark in the fuel gauge sensor which thus blew the plane up not long after takeoff. The FAA mandated that an electrical circuit test be conducted on each plane in order to reduce sparks from faulty wiring and other sources.





  8. Smoke detectors and automatic fire extinguishers in the cargo hold:In 1996, a plane’s cargo hold was carrying chemical oxygen generators (illegally packaged by the airline’s maintenance contractor). The oxygen generators were accidentally set off by a bump and the resulting heat started a fire in the cargo hold. The plane wasn’t able to land in time and 110 aboard died.Following the accident, the FAA mandated smoke detectors and automatic fire extinguishers to be installed in the cargo holds of all commercial airliners. This accident also spurred the stricter rules against carrying hazardous cargo aboard aircraft.