December 2024 Was a Dark Month For Flights | Over 250 Deaths In 6 Tragic Crashes!
Aviation is often considered one of the safest ways to travel. Yet, when accidents occur, they leave a devastating impact. December 2024, is a grim month for flights as it marked six tragic crashes. Over 250 people across the world have lost their lives due to the crashes that took place in just this month. The Jeju Air disaster in South Korea was the most catastrophic among them. Let’s have a closer look at all of the heartbreaking catastrophes in the air that claimed lives.
1. Jeju Air Disaster
On December 29, 2024, a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan Airport, South Korea, while returning from Bangkok. A front landing gear failure caused the plane to skid off the runway and collide with a concrete fence.
The fiery aftermath claimed 177 lives out of the 181 people onboard. Emergency responders, including 32 fire trucks and helicopters, fought to contain the blaze. Among the wreckage, only two survivors—a crew member and a passenger—were rescued.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the landing gear failure, which has brought intense scrutiny to safety protocols. This incident has become one of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters, leaving a nation in mourning and demanding answers.
2. Azerbaijan Airlines Crash
Just days earlier, on December 25, Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer ERJ-190AR faced a similar fate. The plane crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan after experiencing severe weather and technical issues.
Out of 67 passengers, 38 lost their lives. Reports suggest fluctuating altitude and speed during the flight, potentially due to mechanical issues or nearby military activity, including Ukrainian drone operations. Dense fog worsened the conditions, leading to this tragic outcome.
3. Brazilian Chartered Plane Crash
On December 22, a private plane carrying 10 family members crashed in Gramado, Brazil. Businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, his wife, and their three daughters were among the victims.
The plane struck a building’s chimney, a house, and a shop before crashing, injuring 17 people on the ground. Two individuals remained in serious condition. This incident underscored the dangers of flying small, private aircraft in crowded urban areas.
4. Papua New Guinea Crash
The same day, a Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander operated by North Coast Aviation crashed in Papua New Guinea. All five people onboard died when the plane went down between Wasu Airport and Lae-Nadzab Airport.
A distress signal was received minutes before the crash, but by the time rescuers reached the wreckage, it was too late. Investigations are ongoing to uncover what caused the sudden disaster.
5. Hawaii Plane Crash
On December 17, a Kamaka Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan tragically crashed near Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The flight was a training exercise, and both pilots onboard were killed.
Witnesses reported the plane executing a sharp left bank shortly after takeoff before crashing into a building. Investigators are exploring whether pilot error or mechanical failure was the root cause of this accident.
6. Bombardier Crash in Argentina
On December 19, a Bombardier Challenger 300 ferry flight met disaster near San Fernando Airport in Argentina. The aircraft overshot the runway, hit a fence, and collided with a tree.
Both pilots perished in the resulting fire. Investigators are examining whether the runway’s inadequate length contributed to the crash. This accident raised questions about airport safety standards and infrastructure.
Air Canada Incident in Halifax
On December 29, just hours after the Jeju Air disaster, Air Canada Flight 2259 faced a frightening incident at Halifax Airport. A landing gear malfunction caused the plane’s wing to scrape along the runway, igniting a fire.
Passenger Nikki Valentine described the scene: “The plane started to sit at about a 20-degree angle to the left… we heard what almost sounded like a crash sound as the wing started to skid along the pavement.”
The Halifax airport was shut down for 90 minutes, and fortunately, no fatalities were reported. However, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of landing gear systems in modern aircraft.
Common Threads in December’s Crashes
Several factors contributed to the disasters:
- Equipment Failures:
Landing gear malfunctions were central in multiple crashes, raising concerns about manufacturing defects and maintenance practices. - Weather and External Interference:
Severe weather conditions, such as dense fog in the Azerbaijan crash, played a significant role. Military activities near Aktau Airport also added complications. - Human Error:
The Hawaii crash spotlighted pilot training challenges during instructional flights. - Safety Protocols:
Argentina’s Bombardier crash highlighted inadequate runway infrastructure, stressing the need for better safety measures at smaller airports.
Conclusion
December 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of aviation safety. While flying remains statistically safe, these incidents call for urgent improvements in equipment reliability, pilot training, and airport safety infrastructure.
As the aviation industry evolves, incorporating advanced technologies and stricter safety protocols will be essential to prevent future tragedies. The goal must be not only to learn from these incidents but to create safer skies for all travelers.
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