Deadliest US Plane Crashes in History

Fri Jan 31 2025
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ISLAMABAD:  United States officials have expressed fear that there are likely no survivors following an American Airlines passenger jet carrying 64 people collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the icy waters of Washington’s Potomac River on Wednesday.

The collision — the first major crash in the US since 2009 when 49 people were killed near Buffalo, New York — occurred late evening on Wednesday as the airliner came into land at Reagan National Airport after a routine flight from Wichita, Kansas, according to AFP.

Here are some of the deadliest commercial plane crashes in the United States since the Air Florida disaster according to reports from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Plane Crash 2

Colgan Air plane crash

February 12, 2009: A Colgan Air plane crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane, including 45 passengers, two pilots, and two flight attendants, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Comair aircraft crash

August 27, 2006: AP reported that a Comair aircraft crashed when taking off in Lexington, Kentucky, after it left from the wrong runway and ran off the end. Two crew members and 47 passengers were killed, according to US media.

American Airlines crash

November 12, 2001: Just after takeoff, an American Airlines flight crashed into a residential area of Belle Harbor, New York. All 260 people aboard the plane were killed, media reports suggest.

Alaska Airlines flight crash

January 31, 2000: An Alaska Airlines flight crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Anacapa Island, California. The crash killed around 83 passengers and five crew members, AP reported.

Trans World Airlines flight crash

July 17, 1996: A Trans World Airlines flight crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near East Moriches, New York, on its way to Paris, France. All 230 people on board were killed, and the airplane was destroyed.

USAir flight crash

September 8, 1994: A USAir flight crashed while attempting to land in Pittsburgh. Over 126 passengers and five crew members were killed in the accident, according to AP.

United Airlines crash

July 19, 1989: A United Airlines flight experienced an engine failure and crashed while attempting to land in Sioux City, Iowa, killing 110 passengers and one crew member.

Northwest Airlines crash

August 16, 1987: A Northwest Airlines flight crashed just after taking off in Romulus, Michigan, striking light poles, a rental car facility, and the ground. The crash killed 148 passengers and six crew members.

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