AirSafety #OTD by Francisco Cunha
@ondisasters.bsky.social
Author of Book "IDN 1851 - The Santa Maria Air Disaster"; Posts #OTD On This Day Aviation Safety Occurrences (Crashes/Incidents) and other aero miscellanea
#OTD in 1979: Swissair Flight 316, a DC-8, crashes on landing in Athens (Greece), 14 of 154 aboard die. Jet left runway, was damaged, caught fire. Inquiry noted crew actions - touched runway too far, too fast after non-stabilized approach, incorrect application of brakes and T/R.
October 7, 2025 at 9:07 PM
#OTD in 1979: Swissair Flight 316, a DC-8, crashes on landing in Athens (Greece), 14 of 154 aboard die. Jet left runway, was damaged, caught fire. Inquiry noted crew actions - touched runway too far, too fast after non-stabilized approach, incorrect application of brakes and T/R.
@aviationlibrarian.bsky.social Mate can you confirm if this is from a postcard?
August 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
@aviationlibrarian.bsky.social Mate can you confirm if this is from a postcard?
🧵 1/7 #OTD in 1937: Amelia Earhart disappears on the Central Pacific on a flight from Lae (New Guinea) to Howland Island. Piloting an Electra 10 with navigator Fred Noonan, she was attempting an around the world flight. Likely cause was a navigational error coupled with radio issues.
July 1, 2025 at 10:07 PM
🧵 1/7 #OTD in 1937: Amelia Earhart disappears on the Central Pacific on a flight from Lae (New Guinea) to Howland Island. Piloting an Electra 10 with navigator Fred Noonan, she was attempting an around the world flight. Likely cause was a navigational error coupled with radio issues.
🧵 1/18 #OTD in 2002: Überlingen mid-air collision (Germany), involving Bashkirian Airlines 2937 [Tu-154] and DHL 611 [cargo B-757]. All 71 on both jets die. Crash was due to issues with ATC and one crew disrespecting TCAS. The controller on duty was later murdered in reprisal.
June 30, 2025 at 10:44 PM
🧵 1/18 #OTD in 2002: Überlingen mid-air collision (Germany), involving Bashkirian Airlines 2937 [Tu-154] and DHL 611 [cargo B-757]. All 71 on both jets die. Crash was due to issues with ATC and one crew disrespecting TCAS. The controller on duty was later murdered in reprisal.
🧵 1/6 #OTD in 1987: a USAF C-130 [“68-10945”] crashes in Fort Bragg (N. Carolina, US). 4 of 6 aboard and 1 on the ground die. On a demonstration of a low-altitude parachute drop, pilot pulled up too late. Plane skidded 1000 ft on dirt runway, hit a vehicle and caught fire.
June 30, 2025 at 10:24 PM
🧵 1/6 #OTD in 1987: a USAF C-130 [“68-10945”] crashes in Fort Bragg (N. Carolina, US). 4 of 6 aboard and 1 on the ground die. On a demonstration of a low-altitude parachute drop, pilot pulled up too late. Plane skidded 1000 ft on dirt runway, hit a vehicle and caught fire.
🧵 1/5 #OTD in 1986: the Piasecki PA-97, an experimental lifter, crashes in N. Jersey (US), 1 of 5 crew die. The Helistat – 4 modified helicopters joined by a frame powering a blimp to carry heavy loads – broke apart on a test flight. Enquiry highlighted design issues as a major factor. (Vídeo)
June 30, 2025 at 10:17 PM
🧵 1/5 #OTD in 1986: the Piasecki PA-97, an experimental lifter, crashes in N. Jersey (US), 1 of 5 crew die. The Helistat – 4 modified helicopters joined by a frame powering a blimp to carry heavy loads – broke apart on a test flight. Enquiry highlighted design issues as a major factor. (Vídeo)
🧵 1/10 #OTD in 1956: Grand Canyon mid-air collision (Arizona, US), involving UA 718 (DC-7) and TWA 2 (Constellation) all 128 on both planes die. Accident occurred in uncontrolled airspace, exposing the antiquated state of ATC, which became the focus of major aviation reforms.
June 29, 2025 at 10:17 PM
🧵 1/10 #OTD in 1956: Grand Canyon mid-air collision (Arizona, US), involving UA 718 (DC-7) and TWA 2 (Constellation) all 128 on both planes die. Accident occurred in uncontrolled airspace, exposing the antiquated state of ATC, which became the focus of major aviation reforms.
2/7 #Thread Picture Update. The RA-3 was the photo-reconnaissance version of the A-3 “Skywarrior” bomber. The jet lost in the accident was attached to squadron VAP-62 (based off Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) the same unit as the one pictured here in the late 1950s.
June 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM
2/7 #Thread Picture Update. The RA-3 was the photo-reconnaissance version of the A-3 “Skywarrior” bomber. The jet lost in the accident was attached to squadron VAP-62 (based off Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) the same unit as the one pictured here in the late 1950s.
🧵 1/7 #OTD in 1960: A US Navy RA-3 [144845] crashes off Florida (US) all 3 crew die. While practicing landings on the carrier USS Saratoga, arresting cable broke. With no means to stop safely, plane went off deck. Crew attempted go-around but were unable to, jet hit sea and sunk.
June 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🧵 1/7 #OTD in 1960: A US Navy RA-3 [144845] crashes off Florida (US) all 3 crew die. While practicing landings on the carrier USS Saratoga, arresting cable broke. With no means to stop safely, plane went off deck. Crew attempted go-around but were unable to, jet hit sea and sunk.
#OTD in 1965: Pan Am Flight 843, a B-707, makes an emergency landing in S. Francisco (US), all 153 aboard survive. Jet suffered uncontained failure on engine #4 just after take-off, causing it to fall, along with 25 ft/7.6m of the wing. Engine failure was traced to maintenance.
June 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
#OTD in 1965: Pan Am Flight 843, a B-707, makes an emergency landing in S. Francisco (US), all 153 aboard survive. Jet suffered uncontained failure on engine #4 just after take-off, causing it to fall, along with 25 ft/7.6m of the wing. Engine failure was traced to maintenance.
🧵1/5 #OTD in 1998: United Airlines Flight 863, a B-747, has an incident in California (US). All 307 aboard unhurt. After take-off, jet had problems on #3 engine. and nearly collided with San Bruno Mt. before dumping fuel and landing safely. Incident led to revision of pilot training.
June 28, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🧵1/5 #OTD in 1998: United Airlines Flight 863, a B-747, has an incident in California (US). All 307 aboard unhurt. After take-off, jet had problems on #3 engine. and nearly collided with San Bruno Mt. before dumping fuel and landing safely. Incident led to revision of pilot training.
1/8 #OTD in 1980: Ustica Massacre (Italy). Itavia Flight 870, a DC-9, explodes off Ustica island, all 81 aboard die. Cause unestablished, with multiple official inquiries divided between a bombing and an accidental missile attack, on a dogfight involving NATO and Lybian jet fighters.
June 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
1/8 #OTD in 1980: Ustica Massacre (Italy). Itavia Flight 870, a DC-9, explodes off Ustica island, all 81 aboard die. Cause unestablished, with multiple official inquiries divided between a bombing and an accidental missile attack, on a dogfight involving NATO and Lybian jet fighters.
I have seen them too! Here´s a picture I took of one at the local bar.
June 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I have seen them too! Here´s a picture I took of one at the local bar.
🧵 1/5 #OTD in 2015: a Promech Air DHC-3 [N270PA] crashes near Ella Lake (Alaska, US) all 9 aboard die. Aircraft impacted terrain in bad weather, in CFIT. Report stated pilot deliberately flew into a dangerous area, noting several safety issues with the airline´s operating procedures.
June 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
🧵 1/5 #OTD in 2015: a Promech Air DHC-3 [N270PA] crashes near Ella Lake (Alaska, US) all 9 aboard die. Aircraft impacted terrain in bad weather, in CFIT. Report stated pilot deliberately flew into a dangerous area, noting several safety issues with the airline´s operating procedures.
🧵 1/7 #OTD in 1965: a USAF C-135 [60-0373] crashes in California (US), all 84 aboard die. Jet impacted a ridge shortly after takeoff. Report stated pilot failed to make a prescribed left turn and continued straight ahead. Weather - thick fog and light drizzle – was likely a factor.
June 24, 2025 at 10:16 PM
🧵 1/7 #OTD in 1965: a USAF C-135 [60-0373] crashes in California (US), all 84 aboard die. Jet impacted a ridge shortly after takeoff. Report stated pilot failed to make a prescribed left turn and continued straight ahead. Weather - thick fog and light drizzle – was likely a factor.
🧵 1/9 #OTD in 1994: USAF B-52 ["Czar 52"] crashes in Fairchild AFB (Washington, US). All 4 crew die. Practicing aerobatics, jet stalled at low height. Inquiry noted pilot´s behavior/personality and his superior’s lack of reactions to earlier incidents, becoming a case study for CRM.
June 23, 2025 at 10:40 PM
🧵 1/9 #OTD in 1994: USAF B-52 ["Czar 52"] crashes in Fairchild AFB (Washington, US). All 4 crew die. Practicing aerobatics, jet stalled at low height. Inquiry noted pilot´s behavior/personality and his superior’s lack of reactions to earlier incidents, becoming a case study for CRM.
🧵 1/9 #OTD in 1994: USAF B-52 ["Czar 52"] crashes in Fairchild AFB (Washington, US). All 4 crew die. Practicing aerobatics, jet stalled at low height. Inquiry noted pilot´s behavior/personality and his superior’s lack of reactions to earlier incidents, becoming a case study for CRM.
June 23, 2025 at 10:37 PM
🧵 1/9 #OTD in 1994: USAF B-52 ["Czar 52"] crashes in Fairchild AFB (Washington, US). All 4 crew die. Practicing aerobatics, jet stalled at low height. Inquiry noted pilot´s behavior/personality and his superior’s lack of reactions to earlier incidents, becoming a case study for CRM.