Air travel is statistically the safest mode of transportation, but catastrophic accidents have occurred throughout history, leading to major safety improvements. Below are the 10 deadliest plane crashes of all time.
1. Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977) – 583 Fatalities
Flights: KLM Flight 4805 & Pan Am Flight 1736
Aircraft: Boeing 747
Cause: Runway collision due to miscommunication and fog
Two 747s collided on the runway in Tenerife after a bomb threat diverted flights. The KLM jet mistakenly took off while the Pan Am plane was still taxiing.
Aftermath:
- Strict ATC communication protocols
- Standardized cockpit terminology
▶ Tenerife Disaster Documentary
2. Japan Airlines Flight 123 (1985) – 520 Fatalities
Aircraft: Boeing 747
Cause: Structural failure from improper repair
A faulty repair on the rear bulkhead led to explosive decompression. Despite heroic efforts, the plane crashed into Mount Takamagahara.
Aftermath:
- Stricter maintenance regulations
- Improved emergency response training
3. Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996) – 349 Fatalities
Flights: Saudi Flight 763 & Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907
Cause: Mid-air collision due to altitude error
A Kazakh pilot descended into the path of a Saudi Airlines 747. Lack of TCAS (collision avoidance system) contributed.
Aftermath:
- Mandatory TCAS installation
- Better pilot training for international flights
▶ Charkhi Dadri Crash Analysis
4. Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (1974) – 346 Fatalities
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Cause: Cargo door failure leading to loss of control
A design flaw caused the cargo door to blow out, severing control cables.
Aftermath:
- Redesigned cargo door mechanisms
- Enhanced structural inspections
5. Air India Flight 182 (1985) – 329 Fatalities
Aircraft: Boeing 747
Cause: Terrorist bombing
A bomb planted by Sikh extremists exploded mid-flight near Ireland.
Aftermath:
- Tighter airport security
- Advanced baggage screening
6. Saudi Flight 163 (1980) – 301 Fatalities
Aircraft: Lockheed L-1011
Cause: Fire & delayed evacuation
A fire broke out shortly after takeoff, but the crew attempted to land instead of immediate evacuation.
Aftermath:
- Improved fire suppression systems
- Faster emergency exit protocols
7. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (2014) – 298 Fatalities
Aircraft: Boeing 777
Cause: Shot down by missile over Ukraine
MH17 was struck by a Buk missile during the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Aftermath:
- Stricter no-fly zone enforcement
- Better conflict zone intelligence
8. Iran Air Flight 655 (1988) – 290 Fatalities
Aircraft: Airbus A300
Cause: Shot down by USS Vincennes
Mistaken for a fighter jet, the civilian plane was hit by a U.S. Navy missile.
Aftermath:
- Improved military-civilian communication
- Enhanced radar identification
9. American Airlines Flight 587 (2001) – 265 Fatalities
Aircraft: Airbus A300
Cause: Pilot overuse of rudder leading to tail separation
Excessive rudder movements caused structural failure.
Aftermath:
- Revised pilot training on rudder use
- Stronger vertical stabilizer design
10. China Airlines Flight 140 (1994) – 264 Fatalities
Aircraft: Airbus A300
Cause: Pilot error during go-around
The plane stalled and crashed due to incorrect throttle input.
Aftermath:
- Enhanced pilot training on automation
- Improved stall recovery procedures