Top 10 Aviation Disasters: Tragic Accidents That Shook the World (2019 - 2024)

Aviation accidents, though rare, leave a lasting impact on the industry and the people involved. Here, we highlight the top 10 aviation disasters based on fatalities, as recorded in last five years (2019 - 2024).

1. Boeing 737-800 Crash – South Korea (December 29, 2024)

• Fatalities: 179

• ICAO Category: ARC

• This tragic incident involving a Boeing 737-800 in South Korea became one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.

• Accident investigation : Preliminary report (Download report)

2. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 – Ethiopia (March 10, 2019)

• Fatalities: 157

• ICAO Category: LOC-I

• A Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed shortly after takeoff, leading to a worldwide grounding of the aircraft model.

• Accident investigation : Investigation completed (Download report)

3. China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 – China (March 21, 2022)

• Fatalities: 132

• ICAO Category: UNK

• A Boeing 737-800 experienced a sudden and unexplained descent, resulting in a catastrophic crash.

4. Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 – Pakistan (May 22, 2020)

• Fatalities: 97 (1 on the ground)

• ICAO Category: ARC

• An Airbus A320 crashed near Karachi, reportedly due to landing gear failure and pilot error.

• Accident investigation: Investigation completed (Download report)

5. Yeti Airlines Flight 691 – Nepal (January 15, 2023)

• Fatalities: 72

• ICAO Category: LOC-I

• An ATR 72-500 crashed while attempting to land in Pokhara, Nepal, marking the country's worst air disaster in decades.

• Accident investigation: Investigation completed (Download report)

6. Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 – Indonesia (January 9, 2021)

• Fatalities: 62

• ICAO Category: LOC-I

• A Boeing 737-500 plunged into the sea minutes after takeoff, suspected due to engine failure and control issues.

• Accident investigation: Investigation completed (Download report)

7. ATR 72-500 Crash – Brazil (August 9, 2024)

• Fatalities: 62

• ICAO Category: LOC-I

• A tragic accident involving an ATR 72-500 in Brazil, adding to concerns over aircraft safety in extreme weather conditions.

8. Aeroflot Flight 1492 – Russia (May 5, 2019)

• Fatalities: 41

• ICAO Category: ARC

• A Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash-landed and caught fire in Moscow due to a suspected lightning strike.

• Accident investigation: Investigation completed (Download report)

9. Antonov An-26 Crash – Russia (July 6, 2021)

• Fatalities: 28

• ICAO Category: CFIT

• A Russian military transport aircraft crashed into rough terrain, highlighting safety concerns with aging aircraft.

• Accident investigation: Investigation completed (Download report)

10. Tara Air Flight 197 – Nepal (May 29, 2022)

• Fatalities: 22

• ICAO Category: CFIT

• A de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter disappeared in the Himalayas, later found to have crashed into mountainous terrain.

• Accident investigation: Investigation completed (Download report)

Final Thoughts

Each of these accidents serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of aviation safety. While air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, continuous improvements in technology, training, and regulations are crucial to preventing future disasters.

Stay informed with the latest updates on aviation safety and news at Airspacenews.com.

Confidence Rating

The information provided is based on news reports and social media sources, which may not always be fully verified. This analysis is a self-effort and does not reflect official statements or conclusions. As such, the confidence rating for this data is considered unofficial and subject to further investigation.

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