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Airline tragedies have a unique way of captivating the public, drawing attention with their devastating and dramatic impact. Unlike car accidents, they seem to carry a haunting fascination, combining horror and death in ways that seem unimaginable. This list compiles the ten deadliest airplane disasters, focusing on those that were likely caused by accidents. Not included are events like Pan Am Flight 103 (270 fatalities, no survivors), Air India Flight 182 (329 fatalities, no survivors), both bomb-related, and the World Trade Center tragedy (2,753 fatalities involving two hijacked planes).
For those who dread flying, it's interesting to note that seven out of these ten incidents (not counting the bonus one) took place during the 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, two of the three most recent disasters occurred in nations that might make travelers think twice about visiting. While devastating, these deadly events often lead to improvements in aviation safety, revealing critical weaknesses in the system.
10. Korean Airlines Flight 007 1983
Location: Off the coast of Moneron Island, Soviet Union Fatalities: 269 Survivors: None
The first entry on this list is one of the most difficult to explain and has the potential to be remembered as one of the deadliest accidents in history. It stands as one of the most intense episodes of the Cold War.
A flight from Anchorage to Seoul went slightly off course shortly after takeoff due to improper navigation, continuing on the wrong route toward the Soviet Union for over five and a half hours. Multiple signs should have alerted the crew to the deviation, including losing normal communication range with Anchorage and having to relay messages through another aircraft nearby. However, cockpit recordings reveal that the crew remained completely unaware of any danger.
The aircraft happened to be flying towards the Soviet Union during a particularly tense period in the Cold War, and on a day when a Soviet missile test was taking place. The Korean flight crossed a Soviet peninsula, re-entered international airspace, and then entered Soviet airspace a second time. Because of the missile test, there was also an American military plane in the vicinity, and the two aircraft passed so closely that the Soviets couldn’t distinguish between them. A Soviet Air Defense commander, believing it was not a civilian aircraft, took action. Unaware of the imminent threat, the pilots attempted to climb to a higher altitude, which slowed their speed and was interpreted by the Soviet fighter pilot as a defensive maneuver. The Soviet pilot shot the plane down just as it was crossing back into international airspace.
Initially, the Soviet Union denied any knowledge of the aircraft and fabricated false reports to support their claim that it was not a civilian plane. They accused the United States of sending the plane as part of a spy mission and even alleged it was an attempt to provoke war. During the search-and-rescue operation, American and Soviet teams obstructed each other's efforts. Even after the plane's black boxes were released after the Soviet Union dissolved, controversy and conspiracy theories continued to surround the incident.
9. American Airlines Flight 191 1979
Location: O'Hare Airport, Des Plaines, USA Fatalities: 273, including 2 ground fatalities Survivors: None
The deadliest aviation disaster on U.S. soil took place involving a DC-10, a model that, despite being generally regarded as safe, developed a poor safety reputation. Maintenance performed on this particular aircraft, just eight weeks prior to the disaster, had compromised the pylons attaching one of its engines. As the plane began its takeoff from O'Hare, that engine detached, falling onto the runway and taking a large portion of the left wing with it. The damage also disrupted the aircraft's electrical systems and spilled hydraulic fluid, which controlled the movable parts of the wing.
The pilots, unaware of the damage to the wings and the loss of fluid necessary for control, attempted to keep the aircraft airborne while following the proper emergency procedures for an engine failure during takeoff. However, the left wing stalled, causing the plane to dive and crash into an open field. Debris from the crash was scattered into a nearby trailer park, destroying several trailers and vehicles, and hitting an old aircraft hangar. Several people on the ground were severely injured, and two people were killed. Everyone on board perished from the impact or the resulting fire caused by the spilled fuel.
In the wake of the accident, the entire DC-10 fleet was temporarily grounded while investigators sought to determine which other aircraft might have sustained similar damage from the faulty maintenance procedures.
8. Iran Air Flight 655 1988
Location: Persian Gulf Fatalities: 290 Survivors: None
In another tragic and contentious military incident, an Iranian Airbus was shot down over the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war. This occurred shortly after a clash in international waters between the U.S. Navy's USS Vincennes and Iranian gunboats. The Vincennes crew mistook the approaching aircraft for an Iranian F-14A Tomcat fighter.
The Navy attempted to contact the plane seven times on a military frequency, which went unanswered, followed by three attempts on a civilian frequency. The crew of the Airbus may have mistakenly believed that the calls were intended for another Iranian aircraft, a military surveillance plane that had been in the vicinity. As the Airbus seemed to descend towards them, the Vincennes fired two missiles, both of which struck the plane.
Iran rejects the notion that this was an accident, asserting that, even if it was, it resulted from reckless actions and therefore constitutes an international crime. One theory for the incident is that the Vincennes crew, psychologically primed after the gunboat engagement, mistook the aircraft's descent as an attack. Additionally, confusion with transponder codes made the plane temporarily appear to be transmitting a military signal. The United States has never issued a formal apology for the incident.
7. 1996 Air Africa Crash 1996
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Fatalities: possibly 2 onboard, between 225 and 348 on the ground Survivors: possibly 5 onboard
This incident marks the deadliest airplane disaster for those on the ground. Details are scarce, likely due to the crash's location and the illegal nature of the flight. The aircraft, a cargo plane leased from Russia, was operating without the proper licensing. Overloaded and possibly transporting weapons to an Angolan rebel group, the plane was also fully fueled. Failing to reach sufficient speed for takeoff, it attempted to lift off but crashed into a crowded marketplace. The explosion killed between 225 and 348 people and injured around 500 others. The lessons from this tragedy remain unclear, though some suggest a similar incident occurred with the 2007 Africa One crash, which resulted in only 51 fatalities.
6. Saudia Flight 163 1980
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Fatalities: 301 Survivors: 0
Six minutes after taking off from Riyadh, Saudia Flight 163 received warning signals about smoke in the cargo hold. The crew spent another four minutes assessing the situation before deciding to return to the airport. The fire had caused significant damage, forcing the shutdown of the middle engine. While the plane was able to land, it did so at a slower speed than expected, rolling down the runway and moving away from the emergency vehicles that had been prepared for an immediate stop. Additionally, the crew did not initiate an evacuation right away.
The majority of passengers perished from smoke inhalation as the evacuation began. It took fifteen minutes before rescue workers were able to open the doors. While the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, the airline took significant steps to improve emergency response protocols and crew training following the incident. The aircraft manufacturer also removed flammable insulation from the cargo area to prevent future disasters.
5. Iran Ilyushin Il-76 Crash 2003
Location: near Kerman, Iran Fatalities: 302 Survivors: 0
Details surrounding this disaster are even more scarce than those of the Air Africa crash, which is quite shocking given the high death toll. It is known that the day of the crash was marked by poor weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy fog, which are suspected to be the primary cause. Other theories have been put forward, including terrorist involvement, mechanical failure, or even the possibility of a mid-air collision—though no other aircraft were reported in the area. The majority of passengers aboard the flight were members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
4. Turkish Airlines Flight 981 1974
Location: Ermenonville, near Senlis, France Fatalities: 346 Survivors: 0
This tragic incident remains the deadliest DC-10 crash, likely cementing the aircraft's notorious reputation. It was also the deadliest air disaster in history at the time. The flight, heading from Paris to London, was unusually full due to a British strike, making the crash even more catastrophic. While flying over Meaux, France, a muffled explosion followed by a rush of air was heard as the cargo door detached from the plane. The collapse of the cabin floor above the cargo hold severed the connections between the flight controls and their respective components. For 72 seconds, the pilots struggled to regain control before the plane crashed into a forest. The wreckage was so severe that authorities briefly considered the possibility of a bomb. The detached cargo door, along with part of the cabin floor and six seats holding the victims, was discovered in a nearby field.
The DC-10's cargo hatch opens outward, a design flaw on any aircraft due to the outward pressure created by the air. It was already known that the locking mechanism was potentially faulty. Modifications were made after a near-fatal incident two years earlier, but these changes were overlooked on this specific aircraft, and the engineers failed to properly inspect the cargo door. The cargo door issue with the DC-10 was eventually corrected after this disaster, but the entire 747 fleet was grounded fifteen years later due to a remarkably similar issue.
3. Tenerife Disaster 1977
Location: Tenerife Airport, Canary Islands Fatalities: 583 Survivors: 61
It’s a rare stroke of luck for us that the deadliest plane crash in history is an event so unlikely to ever happen again. The fact that it even occurred once is astonishing, proving that a chain of events must align in such a way that multiple factors go wrong before a disaster of this magnitude can unfold.
After a terrorist bombing at Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) International Airport, five large planes and several smaller ones, originally scheduled to stop there, were rerouted to Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife. Los Rodeos, a much smaller facility, had just one runway, a parallel taxiway, and four exits in between. Typically, planes would taxi down the taxiway, turn onto the runway, and take off. However, due to the cramped space, parked planes occupied most of the taxiway, forcing planes to taxi along the runway and then turn around to begin their takeoff.
At Los Rodeos, two 747s were waiting on the tarmac: Pan Am Flight 1736 and KLM Flight 4805, the latter being a Dutch airline. As soon as Gran Canaria airport reopened, Pan Am was ready to depart. However, the KLM captain opted to refuel at Los Rodeos, seemingly to save time as he was eager to return home. This decision caused the KLM aircraft to block the runway, keeping the Pan Am behind. The refueling operation delayed Pan Am, and as a result, thick fog began to roll in.
Once KLM was ready for takeoff, it was instructed to taxi up the runway and perform a 180-degree turn. Pan Am was directed to taxi to the third exit, cross back onto the taxiway (which was clear at the time), and then return to the runway once the KLM took off. However, the Pan Am crew became uncertain about which exit to take, as the exits were not numbered, and visibility was poor due to the fog. Additionally, the third exit required two sharp 135-degree turns, which would have been nearly impossible in such a limited space, while the fourth exit only required two less challenging 45-degree turns. Pan Am continued towards the fourth exit.
The KLM captain, known for his difficult and arrogant demeanor, spent much of his time training new pilots, including the flight engineer on this flight, or dealing with the media, rather than focusing on flying. He began preparations for takeoff, but his flight engineer pointed out that they had not received clearance. They requested permission from air traffic control, but the response was unclear, partly due to radio interference from the Pan Am crew, who were simultaneously informing the controller that they were still on the runway. The flight engineer hesitated to press the issue a second time, fearing it would embarrass the captain. Meanwhile, thick fog reduced visibility, preventing both planes from seeing each other, and the air traffic controller struggled to track both aircraft. The Pan Am crew likely assumed no one would be allowed to take off in such low visibility.
The KLM began its takeoff roll, just as the Pan Am reached the fourth exit. The Pan Am pilot quickly veered left into the exit, while the KLM captain, in a hurry, attempted to take off. Due to the immense weight of the fully fueled KLM and its steep climb angle, its tail scraped along the runway. The impact caused the KLM’s landing gear to collide with the upper right side of the Pan Am, ripping the top off the aircraft. The KLM briefly became airborne, but it lost two of its engines and crashed back onto the runway. A massive fire engulfed both planes, killing everyone on board the KLM, though 61 people, including the Pan Am flight engineer, survived.
Following this disaster, communication with air traffic control became more standardized to prevent confusion about clearance, such as the one that occurred with the KLM takeoff. The importance of crew resource management, which stresses teamwork and reduces the captain's dominant role, was also highlighted to prevent situations like those in the KLM cockpit.
2. Japan Airlines Flight 123, 1985
Location: Ueno, Japan Fatalities: 520 Survivors: 4
Japan Airlines Flight 123 holds the grim distinction of being the deadliest single-aircraft crash in history, with almost 200 more fatalities than any other. The flight occurred during an exceptionally busy period for Japan Airlines, and despite being a domestic journey, the plane was fully packed with passengers.
Twelve minutes after departure, disaster struck when the rear bulkhead – the structural divider between the cabin and the tail – failed catastrophically. This failure tore off the rudder and destroyed all four of the aircraft's hydraulic systems, leaving the pilots with no control over the plane. The only remaining way to maneuver the plane was through differential engine thrust, which allowed the pilots to turn the aircraft by adjusting the thrust on one side, though this was an extremely limited method of control. The crew attempted to return to Tokyo, then sought to land at an American military base, but the plane continued to drift, eventually descending into the mountains before crashing around 7 p.m.
A search-and-rescue team from the American military base reached the crash site within twenty minutes of the impact, but the Japanese authorities requested they stay away. Later, a Japanese helicopter located the wreckage during the night but could not land due to the mountainous terrain and darkness. The helicopter reported no visible signs of survivors, prompting the rescuers to wait until daylight. When morning came, only four survivors were found, all from the same section of the aircraft. The fate of those who survived the initial crash remains uncertain.
The cause of the disaster was traced back to a tailstrike during a landing seven years prior, which caused significant damage to the underside of the aircraft. The area was repaired improperly with two mismatched patches, and crucially, the three required rows of rivets were not added. As a result, the repair was insufficient to withstand the stress of many more flights, and it eventually failed.
1. Charkhi Dadri collision, 1996
Location: Charkhi Dadri, India Fatalities: 349 Survivors: 0
In November 1996, a Kazakhstan Airlines aircraft, a modified military plane flying as flight KZK 1907, was descending toward a Delhi airport. It carried 27 passengers and 10 crew members. The cockpit crew had limited English proficiency and relied on a radio operator to communicate with Air Traffic Control, increasing the chances for errors. The flight was cleared to descend to 4600 feet, but the radio operator neglected to tell the crew they needed to remain at that altitude, causing the aircraft to continue descending.
Meanwhile, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747, flight SVA 763, was departing from Delhi and heading directly towards the descending Kazakhstan Airlines plane, with 312 people on board. The 747 was cleared to 4300 feet. As the Kazakhstani plane descended through 4300 feet, it was on track to pass under the Saudi jet. However, the radio operator finally remembered to pass along the message that the plane needed to stay at 4600 feet, causing it to begin climbing. By the time the pilots saw each other, it was too late.
The tail of the Kazakhstani plane collided with the Boeing's wing. The Boeing lost control, disintegrated, and crashed, killing all on board. The Kazakhstani aircraft also crash-landed. Four people were rescued but all were severely injured and passed away shortly after.
The Delhi airport employed a radar system that only provided rough approximations of each plane's location, which had become outdated long before the 1990s. Additionally, there was only one air corridor available for civilian traffic, meaning that both takeoffs and landings occurred within the same airspace. Investigators recommended several improvements to the airport's infrastructure, and the national aviation authorities later mandated that all flights in and out of India be equipped with a Traffic Collision Avoidance System.
+ Japan Airlines Mid-Air Incident, 2001
Location: in the air near Yaizu, Shizuoka, Japan Fatalities: 0 (99 injuries) Survivors: 677
If you are aware of any other near-miss incidents involving more people than this one, please feel free to share them in the comments.
In early 2001, around the time the flight attendants began serving drinks on Japan Airlines Flight 907, a Boeing 747, its Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) activated. Another Japan Airlines aircraft, Flight 958, a slightly smaller DC-10, was heading toward them at a similar altitude.
An Air Traffic Controller identified that the two planes were on a potential collision path. However, Flight 907 descended as instructed, while Flight 958 chose to descend according to its TCAS instructions. A trainee Air Traffic Controller mistakenly attempted to instruct 958 to descend, but spoke to 907 instead. His supervisor then attempted to tell 907 to ascend but accidentally referred to Flight 957, a flight that didn’t exist.
At the last moment, with the DC-10 so close that the pilot of the Boeing could barely see anything outside the windshield, he made a sharp dive to avoid a collision, injuring 99 people onboard. The two planes passed within 100 feet of each other. Had the pilot been any slower, it’s almost certain that everyone aboard both planes would have perished, marking it as the potential deadliest airline accident.
No significant steps were taken to improve air safety until after the catastrophic Überlingen collision the following year. In the airline industry, it often takes tragic loss of life before meaningful changes are implemented.
