Aviation has evolved into one of the safest ways to travel, but when tragedy does happen, it is horrific and far-reaching. From fatal mechanical malfunctions to human mistakes and even intentional sabotage, the world has seen some utterly heartbreaking air tragedies. This in-depth report delves into the 10 deadliest air disasters of the last decade that stunned the world and remade aviation safety regulations.
Among the most chilling was the 2014 vanishing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 — a case that still puzzles investigators and torments families. Flight MH17 was destroyed by a missile in 2014 over Ukraine, killing 298 people in what became one of the most politicized aviation accidents in history. Other accidents, such as the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525, shocked the world when it was discovered the co-pilot had intentionally crashed the plane.
More recently, crashes of Boeing 737 MAXs in Indonesia and Ethiopia resulted in a worldwide grounding of the plane and led to a fierce examination of manufacturing and oversight procedures. The accidents killed a total of 346 people and spurred extensive aviation protocol reforms in aircraft certification procedures. All of these accidents, as tragic as they were, were grim impetuses for change in worldwide aviation practices.
This carefully annotated list not only details the size and specifics of each tragedy, but also the lessons that were taken. From enhanced cockpit security to tighter maintenance checks and advances in tracking technology, the legacy of the disasters continues in every safer landing and takeoff today.
