2007 – An AerianTur-M Antonov An-26 (ER-26068) operating into Balad Air Base in Iraq crashes a mile and a half short of the runway, with one survivor among the 35 people aboard. Though visibility was poor and the aircraft had already gone around during its first landing attempt, some eyewitnesses report seeing the aircraft being shot down by a missile.
Avro Lancaster
1997 – Comair Flight 3272 crashes 18 miles from its destination of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia (registered N265CA) experienced ice on the wings, which sent the aircraft into an uncontrolled dive, killing all 29 on-board.
1975 – Golden West Airlines Flight 261, a De Havilland Twin Otter DHC-6 (registered N6383) collides in mid-air with a Cessna 150 (N11421) over Whittier, California, killing a total of 26 people between the two aircraft. It is suspected that the pilot of the Twin Otter was blinded by the late, low sun.
1941 – The first flight of the Avro Lancaster, the heavy World War II bomber for the Royal Air Force.
1923 – First flight of a gyrocopter, designed by Spanish aviation pioneer Juan de la Cierva.
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