LOT Poland was born in 1929. Here, a 767-300 of theirs is on approach to JFK. (Photo by Brian Futterman)
2007 – Adam Air Flight 574 disappeared over the Java Sea, where all 102 perished. The crew of the Boeing 737-4Q8 (registered PK-KKW) is suspected to have lost control of the aircraft while troubleshooting the Inertial reference system and accidently disconnecting the autopilot.
1985 – Eastern Air Lines Flight 980 crashed into Mount Illimani killing all 29 people on-board. The Boeing 727 (registered N819EA) struck the mountain at an altitude of 19,600ft while descending to 18,000 after deviating from their flight path for an unknown reason.
1978 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747-237B (registered VT-EBD, named “Emperor Ashoka), crashed just after takeoff from Bombay, India, killing all 213 on-board. About a minute after takeoff, the Captain made a right turn over the Arabian Peninsula, and became disoriented, the CVR recording that he said the Attitude Indicator “toppled”. He then banked the plane to the left until altitude was lost and the aircraft crashed into the sea. The 747-237B (registered VT-EBD
1976 – Middle East Airlines Flight 438 crashed when a bomb exploded in the forward cargo hold, killing all 81 on-board. The Boeing 720B (registered OD-AFT) was operating under callsign Cedar Jet 438 and broke up at an altitude of 37,000ft over Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia.
1960 – Fiji Airways was born, with mixed ownership from Qantas, Tasman empire Airways and BOAC.
1946 – The first commercial flight out of London Heathrow, a British South American Airways Avro Lancastian, departed.
1934 – Deutsche Luft Hansa officially changed their name to Lufthansa.
1929 – LOT Poland was born!
1914 – The US Weather Bureau published its first daily weather maps specifically geared for aviation.
1914 – The first scheduled airline service by an actual airline company began by “Airboat Line” flying from St. Petersburg, Florida to Tampa, Florida. The fare cost $22, with an additional charge of if the passenger weighed more than 200 pounds…true story!
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday LOT!
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