On This Day in Aviation History

2011-12-20

On This Day in Aviation History: December 20th

2011 – A Socata TPM 700 single-engine plane crashes onto Interstate 287 in northern New Jersey, killing all five people on board, but sparing any vehicles on the busy road.

2008 – Continental Airlines Flight 1404, a 737-524 (N18611), crashes after an aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport. It is suspected that a 37 mph gust of crosswind and a patch of ice caused the aircraft to veer to the left just as it was about to become airborne. It vacated the runway and came to rest down a hill, making it almost difficult for firefighters to find. All on-board escaped before fire consumed the aircraft.

A C-24 Globemaster's cargo doors open up to swallow its payload.

A C-24 Globemaster's cargo doors open up to swallow its payload.

1995 – American Airlines Flight 965, a Boeing 757-200 (N651AA) flying from Miami to Cali, Colombia, crashes into a mountain on approach to Cali, killing 159 of the 163 on board. The final accident report blames the pilots for a massive navigational error, though American attempted to blame a discrepancy in the flight management computer on the manufacturers. The disaster marked the first crash of a U.S.-owned 757, and the deadliest 757 crash ever at the time.

1992 – Northwest and KLM introduce a new joint motto: “Worldwide Reliability”

1983 – Ozark Air Lines Flight 650, a DC-9-31 registered N994Z, crashes at Sioux Fall Regional Airport on landing after striking a snow plow on the runway. The plow driver is killed but no one on the plane is injured, and the aircraft would later return to service.

1954 – The Convair YF-102A Delta Dagger makes its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base.

1952 – A United States Air Force C-124 Globemaster crashes on takeoff from Larson Air Force base in Moses Lake, Washington, killing 91 of the 118 on-board.

1934 – A KLM DC-2 registered PH-AJU crashes into the desert during a flight from Amsterdam Netherlands to Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 7 on-board.

1928 – Two Australians make the first flight over Antarctica in a Lockheed Vega on what was a 10-hour flight.

1916 – The US Army Balloon School is established in Fort Omaha, Nebraska.



About the Author

Phil Derner Jr.
Phil Derner founded NYCAviation in 2003. A lifetime aviation enthusiast that grew up across the water from La Guardia Airport, Phil has aviation experience as a Loadmaster, Operations Controller and Flight Dispatcher. He owns and operates NYCAviation and performs duties as an aviation expert through writing, consulting, public speaking and media appearances. You can reach him by email or follow him on Twitter.




 
 

 

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