Why Airplanes Crashed. A Report Before 9/11 But It’s Important For Passengers To View

Planes crash. And they did in the 1960s as well of course when this documentary was made in 1968. Although it is older, it does reveal some of the issues the industry and the FAA dealt with that were not ordinarily discussed and that I never think about when I fly. The airplane crash first referred to in this video is the crash of Northeast Airlines Flight 946, which occurred on October 25, 1968. The aircraft crashed into Moose Mountain near Lebanon, New Hampshire, while it was on approach to the Lebanon Municipal Airport. Of the 42 people on board, 32 were killed in the crash and the woman speaking was one of the survivors. The accident was one of the deadliest in New Hampshire’s history. The aircraft was en route from Boston, Massachusetts, to Lebanon, New Hampshire, and then onto Montpelier, Vermont. Poor visibility and inclement weather conditions were contributing factors to the crash. The investigation that followed indicated that navigational errors were also a key factor in the accident. The tragedy had a significant impact on aviation safety regulations and led to improvements in navigation and air traffic control procedures to better guide aircraft during challenging weather conditions. 1968 when this film was made (I filmed some of the scenes taken on the flight tower) was a challenging year for aviation with several significant crashes involving both commercial and private aircraft. Listing all the commercial and private aircraft crashes in the United States for 1968 would be extensive but some of the notable commercial crashes that took place that year include: Northeast Airlines Flight 694: Crashed on January 6 near St. Petersburg, Florida, killing 11 people. Pacific Air Lines Flight 773: Crashed on May 7 in Danville, California, killing all 44 onboard. It was later determined that a passenger shot both the pilot and co-pilot before committing suicide, causing the crash. Piedmont Airlines Flight 22: Collided in mid-air with a Cessna 310 on July 19 over Hendersonville, North Carolina, killing 82 people in total. Pan Am Flight 281: Crashed on November 11 at JFK International Airport in New York; there were no fatalities but several injuries. Northeast Airlines Flight 946: Crashed on October 25 near Lebanon, New Hampshire, killing 32 out of the 42 people on board. The era leading up to and including 1968 was a period in which aircraft hijackings were relatively frequent, especially compared to the stringent security measures in place today. The motivations for these hijackings varied, ranging from political asylum to extortion, and took place all over the world. However, a substantial number of these hijackings involved flights to or from Cuba. In the U.S., there were numerous hijackings during the 1960s. Many of these were committed by individuals seeking to reach Cuba, either due to political beliefs or in the hope of evading U.S. law enforcement. These were often referred to as “skyjackings,“ and they became so common that airlines and authorities had contingency plans specifically for Cuba-bound hijackings. Some of the reasons for the high rate of hijackings during this era include: Political Motivations: The Cold War and various independence movements around the world inspired ideologically motivated hijackings. Asylum: Many hijackers sought political asylum, particularly in Communist countries. Extortion: Some hijackers demanded ransoms or the release of prisoners. Security Measures: Airport security was nowhere near as rigorous as it is today, making it easier for potential hijackers to board planes. Lack of International Regulation: International laws and guidelines concerning aircraft hijacking were not as well established as they are today. Publicity: The media coverage of hijackings meant that individuals and groups realized that hijacking an airplane was a way to draw attention to their cause. In 1968, the number of hijackings increased, garnering international attention and concern. The year included some significant cases, such as the hijacking of El Al Flight 426 by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). This and other incidents led to changes in international law, as well as to the development of anti-hijacking measures and technologies (such as metal detectors and increased security protocols). In 1969, following the high number of hijackings, the U.S. implemented new aviation security measures, and in 1970, the first Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft was signed, marking international cooperation to combat hijacking. Please support my efforts to continue to post video clips from my archive. Click the Thanks button below the video screen or visit and become a patron. Thank you David Hoffman filmmaker