Year-Ender 2024: A Jeju Air flight crashed in South Korea on Sunday, after skidding off the runway, resulting in the death of as many as 179 people. On December 25, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 carrying 67 passengers and crew crashed while attempting an emergency landing, claiming 37 lives. The last month of 2024 saw two more non-fatal air accidents, with an Air Canada flight skidding off the runway in Halifax and a Dutch plane experiencing a rough emergency landing.
There were many other plane accidents that took place in 2024, raising concerns about air travel safety.
Here is a list of some of the most serious plane crashes in the past year:
1. Jeju Air Flight 2216 Crashes In Muan, South Korea
Jeju Air Flight 2216 met with disaster during its final approach to Muan International Airport in South Korea. The Boeing 737-800, en route from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members onboard, suffered a landing gear malfunction after a reported bird strike. The aircraft veered off the runway, collided with a concrete barrier, and erupted into flames. Reports said only two passengers, both crew members, survived the tragedy.
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2. Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 Crashes Near Aktau, Kazakhstan
On December 25, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 made an emergency landing attempt near Aktau, Kazakhstan, following mid-flight technical issues. The Fokker 100, carrying 67 passengers and crew, crashed, resulting in 37 fatalities and 29 injuries. Investigations later confirmed that a Russian surface-to-air missile struck the aircraft while it was flying over Chechnya. The incident has provoked widespread outrage and renewed demands for stricter regulations on airspace over conflict zones.
3. Voepass Airlines ATR-72 Crashes In Vinhedo, Brazil
On August 9, a Voepass Airlines ATR-72 tragically crashed into a residential area in Vinhedo, São Paulo. The flight, travelling from Cascavel to Guarulhos, was carrying 62 passengers and crew, none of whom survived.
4. Saurya Airlines Crash In Kathmandu, Nepal
On July 24, a Saurya Airlines flight crashed shortly after departing Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. The commuter jet, carrying 19 people, including three crew members, had experienced a suspected engine failure. While the pilot survived, all other 18 individuals died on impact.
5. Russian Military Plane Downed In Belgorod
On January 24, a Ukrainian rocket allegedly shot down a Russian military plane flying over Belgorod. The IL-76 transport aircraft was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war, and the downing of the plane resulted in the loss of all 74 lives onboard, including six crew members.