On This Day in Aviation History

2011-12-18

On This Day in Aviation History: December 18th

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Written by: Phil Derner Jr.
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2003 – FedEx Flight 647, a MD-10-10F (registered N364FE), crashes while landing in Memphis. Though the aircraft had landed in heavy but legal crosswind, the First Officer failed to line up the aircraft properly, and the right main gear collapsed on touchdown. The aircraft vacated the runway and caught fire. The pilots escaped unharmed.

The SE-210 Caravelle (HB-ICK) that crashed at SA de Transport Aerien Flight 370.

The SE-210 Caravelle (HB-ICK) that crashed as SA de Transport Aerien Flight 370.

1995 – A Trans Service Airlift Lockheed L-188C Electra, being operated for Angola’s UNITA political party, crashes shortly after takeoff from Jamba Airport in Angola, killing 141 of the 144 onboard. The crash would be attributed to a cargo shift on departure.

1977 – SA de Transport Aerien Flight 730, an SE-210 Caravelle (registered HB-ICK) crashes while on approach to Funchal, Portugal, killing 36 of the 47 on-board. The pilots had failed to set the altimeter correctly, and when relying only on instruments, they came down into the sea.

1970 – Airbus Industrie is formed as Aerospatiale, Deutsche Airbus, Hawker Siddeley and Fokker come together to build the Airbus A300.

1912 – The first international flight ever is made by Rolland Garros flying a monoplane from France to a Mediterranean island.



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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