The DEADLIEST Crashes of 2024 | Is Flying Still Safe?

Summary

The year 2024 witnessed a tragic surge in aviation fatalities, marking the deadliest year since 2018. A series of devastating accidents, from a runway collision in Japan to a missile strike in Russia, highlighted both human error and external threats. Notably, Japan Airlines flight 516, hit by miscommunication, and Aaban Airlines flight 8243, downed by a missile, drew comparisons to historical disasters. Other incidents, such as severe icing in Brazil and a cargo plane crash in Lithuania, further contributed to the toll. Despite these tragedies, experts remind us that aviation safety has significantly improved over the years.

Takeaways

• 😀 2024 was the deadliest year for aviation since 2018, with over 300 lives lost in airplane accidents.
• 😀 Despite the rise in fatalities, 2023 was celebrated as the safest year in aviation history with no major passenger aircraft accidents.
• 😀 The first major crash in 2024 occurred when Japan Airlines Flight 516 collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft due to miscommunication and human error, killing five of the Coast Guard crew.
• 😀 A missile strike downed Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 over Russian airspace on December 25, 2024, raising questions about air defense effectiveness.
• 😀 The missile strike on Azerbaijan Airlines was attributed to a Russian air defense system, leading to comparisons with the infamous MH17 incident in 2014.
• 😀 A tragic crash on July 24, 2024, involving a CRJ-200 operated by SAA Airlines in Nepal, was caused by poor safety management and faulty takeoff procedures, killing 18 out of 19 on board.
• 😀 On August 9, 2024, Brazil's Flight 2283 crashed due to severe icing conditions, resulting in the deaths of all 62 passengers and crew aboard.
• 😀 Swift Air's Boeing 737 cargo jet crashed into a residential area in Lithuania on November 25, 2024, after reporting an emergency, killing one crew member and injuring three others.
• 😀 On December 29, 2024, a deadly crash involving a Jedu Air Boeing 737 in South Korea was attributed to a bird strike and mechanical issues, resulting in the deaths of 175 passengers and 4 crew members.
• 😀 Despite the tragic events of 2024, aviation safety experts caution against jumping to conclusions, stressing the importance of examining long-term trends and viewing such incidents as outliers in an otherwise safe industry.

Q & A

What was the deadliest year for aviation in recent times?

2024 was the deadliest year for aviation since 2018, with over 300 people losing their lives in airplane accidents.

What event marked the first major aviation disaster of 2024?

The first major aviation disaster of 2024 occurred on January 2nd when Japan Airlines Flight 516 collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Haneda Airport.

What caused the crash between Japan Airlines Flight 516 and the Coast Guard aircraft?

The crash was caused by a miscommunication and human error, where the Coast Guard aircraft mistakenly entered the active runway, causing a collision with the Japan Airlines Airbus A350.

How many people survived the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 516?

Out of 367 passengers and 12 crew members aboard Japan Airlines Flight 516, all survived, with swift evacuation efforts, despite the aircraft being completely destroyed.

What was the nature of the attack on Aaban Airlines Flight 8243?

Aaban Airlines Flight 8243 was hit by a missile near Gry, Russia, which caused severe damage to the aircraft, ultimately leading to its crash after the crew struggled to maintain control.

How did the missile strike on Aaban Airlines Flight 8243 differ from other missile-related aviation incidents?

The missile strike on Aaban Airlines Flight 8243 was carried out by a Russian air defense system, targeting the aircraft in response to a Ukrainian drone attack near Gry.

What was the cause of the crash of the SAA Airlines CRJ2 200 on July 24, 2024?

The crash of SAA Airlines CRJ2 200 was caused by multiple factors, including procedural oversights, incorrect performance calculations, and an unstable takeoff that led to the aircraft losing control.

What weather conditions contributed to the crash of Flight 2283 in Brazil on August 9, 2024?

Severe icing conditions, turbulence, and thunderstorms contributed to the crash of Flight 2283, with the aircraft suffering from ice buildup that led to a loss of control and a fatal spin.

What caused the crash of the Swift Air Boeing 737 cargo flight in Lithuania on November 25, 2024?

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft's descent was abnormal, and communication with air traffic control was lost before the crash occurred.

What factors led to the fatal crash of the Jedu Air Boeing 737 in South Korea on December 29, 2024?

The crash was caused by multiple factors, including a bird strike, a malfunction in the aircraft’s landing gear and flaps systems, and an unsuccessful go-around attempt, ultimately leading to a runway overrun and fatal crash.