Plane Crashes That Changed the Skies Forever

Shortly after takeoff from Tokyo, a catastrophic failure in the plane’s rear structure destroyed hydraulic controls. The crew fought for more than half an hour to keep the Boeing 747 airborne, but the aircraft slammed into Mount Osutaka. A total of 520 people were killed, making it the worst single-aircraft disaster ever.

Investigators discovered that a faulty repair from years earlier caused the failure. The revelation horrified Japan, which entered a period of national mourning. The airline’s reputation was shattered, and the tragedy pushed regulators worldwide to strengthen rules for inspecting and maintaining older aircraft structures.