Accident, disaster, tragedy ... In the modern world of comfort and new technologies, these words are by no means uncommon. Mankind has long conquered the earth, water, sky and space, but unforeseen circumstances cannot be avoided. And such incidents rarely do without sacrifices, especially when it comes to such a thing as a plane crash.
Air disasters are ...
The events that led to the deaths of people on board the aircraft are called an accident, disaster or tragedy. Sometimes a plane crash can mean the loss of one or more people, as well as the disappearance of the aircraft from the radar, without subsequent contact. A plane crash can also be marked by the loss of life during an emergency landing.
Historical information
For the first time, they started talking about aviation disasters as soon as the era of aeronautics began - in the 19th century. Initially, the number of accidents and casualties was relatively small, but only until the aircraft became part of mass consumption. Not only the air transportation system was developed, but safety standards were improved. But there were still victims.
In 1940, when mass air transportation became popular, the number of victims increased. In the mid-1950s, aircraft were improved and safety standards increased, and the number of accidents decreased, but only until the expansion of aircraft into third world countries began . Only a decade later, new devices appeared on the market that could provide a safe flight to any state.
The next wave of aviation disasters covered the world in the 70s. Then the demand for international air travel increased, the number of seats on the sides increased, and the world first learned what terrorism is. Safety standards were revised again, airborne equipment was improved, and the number of casualties halved by the mid-80s.
Over the next 15 years, the number of air disasters increased again, as wide-body aircraft spread in large numbers.
According to statistics, a plane crash is an event that cannot be predicted, but everything possible can be done to prevent it. As the 60-year practice shows, the number of incidents decreased from 616 accidents per year to 28.
The most terrible disasters
But no matter how much humanity tries to secure its movements, the tragedy always comes abruptly, and the largest air disasters are the best proof of this:
- Japan. 1985 year. Flight No. 123 flew domestically from Tokyo to Osaka. After takeoff, the systems got out of control, the plane crashed on the mountainsides. As a result of the tragedy, 520 people became victims.
- India. Two airliners collided in the air - Boeing 747 and Il-76. As a result, “Il” lost control, and the “Boeing” crumbled in the air, killing 349 people.
- France. In 1974, the worst aviation accident in the history of the country occurred. Flight No. 981 of Turkish Airlines held the course Istanbul-Paris-London. After the plane started from the Paris airport, a cargo hatch opened. As a result, all control systems were damaged, and after 72 seconds the plane crashed, 346 people became victims of the accident.
- Saudi Arabia. On board the plane, which started from Riyadh airport, the luggage compartment caught fire. The device was forced to return, but, after landing, the plane continued its movement, leaving firefighters behind. On board were 301 people, all burned alive.
- Spain. One of the most terrible catastrophes in the history of mankind occurred in the Spanish island province of Tenerife. In 1977, two large airliners collided during takeoff, resulting in the deaths of nearly 600 people. This catastrophe can be considered not only the most terrible, but the most unexpected and ridiculous.
Air disasters in Russia
World history has hundreds of accidents. Russia did not stand aside. The list of aviation accidents that have most attracted public attention is as follows:
- year 2001. Tu-154 crashed in Irkutsk during landing. As a result, 145 people were killed.
- 2004 year. Almost simultaneously, suicide bombers blew up two passenger liners. The tragedy killed 90 people.
- 2006 year. The crew of the A-320 aircraft lost control. Due to difficult weather conditions, the pilots lost their orientation and the plane crashed into the Black Sea. All people who were on board (113 people) died.
- 2015 year. Almost immediately after take-off, the flight disappeared from the radars, which was heading at the rate of Sharm el-Sheikh - St. Petersburg. Subsequently, only fragments were found in the suburbs of Nehel. As a result of the incident, 224 people were tragically killed. The youngest passenger was a 10-month-old girl - Dasha Gromova, her photo became a symbol of tragedy. Among all the air crashes that are known to mankind, most of the Russian citizens died in this accident.
Every day in the heavenly streams runs about 138 thousand aircraft. No airline gives a 100% guarantee, however, air travel is considered the safest. The crash of heaven - air disasters - can happen at any time, but still it happens 10 times less than an accident.