On this date: 1994 - Air Disaster

On this date in 1994, USAir Flight 1016, an MD DC-9-31, carrying five crew and 52 passengers crashed on approach to Charlotte-Douglas Airport, North Carolina.  The aircraft, powered by two Pratt & Whitnet JT8D-7B engines, departed Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina on schedule for a 35 minute flight. On approach to Charlotte, two severe weather cells formed in the area of the airport resulting in a number of course corrections initiated by both the control tower and pilots.

Source: http://goo.gl/cM64M

Having flown into severe weather, the aircraft encountered severe winds. The cockpit crew decided to abort the approach and do a go-around. Shortly after the aborted approach, a wind shear associated with a microburst occurred causing the aircraft to strike the ground. The investigation determined that the aircraft failed to maintain proper attitude and thrust for an aborted flight and that there were inadequate wind shear warnings from the tower. The crash resulted 37 fatalities passenger fatalities and no crew fatalities.

Sources
http://goo.gl/oHycN

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Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

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On this date: 1864 - Canadian Rail Disaster

On this date in 1864, a rail disaster claimed the lives of 99 people in Mont. St. Hilaire, QC, Canada.  The incident known as the Grand Trunk Railway Disaster occurred at approximately 1:00 am when a train carrying between 350 and 475 passengers, operating between Montreal and Levis failed to yield to a red signal. The train entered a bridge which had been raised to allow river traffic to pass.  The engine and 11 coaches fell into the river crushing a barge. The train settled in 10 feet of water.

Source: http://goo.gl/hhYF3

Sources
http://goo.gl/cXTk0
http://goo.gl/SGJkm

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Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

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On this day: 1955 - Motorsport Disaster

On this day in disaster history, 83 were killed and more than 100 were injured at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in  Le Mans, France. On June 11, 1955, ~250,000 spectators lined the nine (9) mile route where cars reached or exceeded speeds of ~190 miles per hour. A collision of a number of race cars said to be traveling ~150 MPH occurred sending debris into the crowd as the cars disintegrated. A fire ensued fed by both fuel and magnesium alloy. The fire was exacerbated when water was applied causing the magnesium fire to increase. 

 Source: http://goo.gl/e5UTY

The accident was captured on an incredible video in which the collision as well as elements of the response can be seen. The race continued during and after the accident reportedly to contain the crowd in an effort to avoid blocking access for emergency vehicles. 

Sources
http://goo.gl/e5UTY
http://goo.gl/i4xLr

--

Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

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On this date: 1990 - Unusual Aviation Incident

On this date in 1990, the captain of British Airways Flight 5390 was partially sucked out of the aircraft when the windshield of the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) One-Eleven 528FL blew out  as the aircraft was climbing through ~17,000 feet while en route to Málaga, Spain out of Birmingham, England. The aircraft was carrying 87 passengers and crew. The wind shield had been replaced after the prior flight however the securing bolts failed under the cabin pressure. 

Capt. Tim Lancaster and his crew - Source: http://goo.gl/hXQot

Coming to rest on the nose cone, Captain Tim Lancaster, severely injured, was restrained by crew members who held on to his ankles until the first officer landed aircraft ~15 minutes later. The captain and crew members who rescued him suffered frost bite, and various traumatic injuries. Captain Lancaster returned to service, retired from British Airways, and was flying for EastJet as of 2005. 

The shift manager of the maintenance facility was held accountable for failure to use proper and standard practices in installing the new wind shield. 

Sources
http://goo.gl/A0v7n
http://goo.gl/K5zz8

--

Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

skuhr.blogspot.com

disasterhx.blogspot.com
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On this date: 1995 - Aircraft Crash

On this date in Disaster History, Ansett New Zealand Flight 703 crashed in the area of the Tararua Mountain Range approximately 10 miles east of Palmerston North, its destination airport. The aircraft was a de Havviland Canada DHC-8-102, commonly known as a Dash-8, which was powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW120A turboprop engines. The aircraft was carrying a total of 21 occupants which included three (3) crew and 18 passengers. One (1) crew member and three (3) passengers were killed.

Source: http://goo.gl/FRKrS

The cause of the crash is a bit complicated. In short, while on approach to Palmerston North, the crew received a landing gear malfunction indicator. The captain and first officer engaged in conversation regarding the gear failure situation, a gear failure check list, and the use of the alternate (hydraulic) gear mechanism to lower the gear. At some point during the exchange the aircraft collided with the slope of a low range of hills. While the collision alarm sounded, accident occurred a mere five (5) seconds later. One report suggest that there nay have been an altimeter malfunction. Pilot distraction with the landing gear problem may also have been a contributing factor. 

Sources
http://goo.gl/yQ3rR
http://goo.gl/MFqVK

--

Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

skuhr.blogspot.com

disasterhx.blogspot.com

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On this day: 2002 - Asteroid Explosion

On this day in 2002, an asteroid entered the earth's atmosphere and exploded over the Mediterranean Sea near the nations of Greece and Lybia.  The event is known as the Eastern Mediterranean Event. The object, said to be ~10 meters in diameter, exploded in mid-air with the explosive equivalent of 26 kilotons of TNT which is similar to a small nuclear weapon. The object approached and entered the atmosphere undetected. The object completely disintegrated therefore no debris was recovered and no crater was formed as it exploded above the surface. There were no apparent injuries, social impact, or impact in critical infrastructure. 

Note: Limited information is available on this event. Comments and input are greatly encouraged.

Sources
http://goo.gl/S5Hrv
http://goo.gl/xvruc

--
Steven Kuhr
Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History
skuhr.blogspot.com
disasterhx.blogspot.com
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On this date: 1967 - Aviation Disaster

On this date in 1967, a British Midland flight, carrying 84, crashed on approach to Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom. The aircraft, a Canadair C-4 Argonaut propeller driven aircraft, reportedly crashed due to an engine failure (another source indicates that the aircraft ran out of fuel). While there were no injuries or fatalities on the ground, the 12 survivors are said to have suffered critical injuries. The crash is also said to have been very traumatic for emergency responders who were confronted with victims who were trapped, still alive, and dying in the wreckage. A news video of the accident captures the incident scene including the damage which occurred to the community in which the accident occurred.   

Source: http://goo.gl/xu6CA

A book on this incident, entitled "The Day the Sky Fell Down: Story of the Stockport Air Disaster", was authored by Steve Morrin who is said to have made great attempts to recognize the efforts of emergency service personnel.


Sources
http://goo.gl/x0b1B
http://goo.gl/wYbGQ

--

Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

skuhr.blogspot.com
disasterhx.blogspot.com
facebook.com/emnexus
twitter.com/steven_kuhr
#EMNexus
#DisasterHX