While air travel is extremely safe the majority of the time, there are, unfortunately, exceptions. This can be demonstrated by looking at the worst Irish air disasters of all time.
Thankfully, air disasters are relatively rare in Ireland. However, with that being said, there have been a number of unfortunate incidents over the last several decades since air travel became a popular mode of transportation in Ireland.
These air disasters are an important reminder of the many potential dangers and challenges that the aviation industry poses.
Plus, the ever-crucial need for constant significant improvements in pilot training, aircraft technology and safety procedures. In this article, we will list the top five worst Irish air disasters of all time.
5. Manx2 Flight 7100, 2011 − a failed landing attempt
On February 10, 2011, The Manx2 Flight 7100, a Fairchild Metroliner aircraft, crashed at Cork Airport in a failed landing attempt.
The crash resulted in the deaths of six people, including both of the pilots. The aircraft was en route from Belfast to Cork when it sadly encountered foggy conditions, leading the crew to attempt to land at Cork Airport three times.
During the final attempt, the plane’s right wingtip struck the runway, which caused the aircraft to turn over and catch fire.
The investigation into the incident found that the crew’s decision to continue with the landing attempts despite the weather conditions played a massive role in the accident’s occurrence.
These findings led to a review of operational procedures and pilot training, especially concerning adverse weather conditions.
4. Alitalia Flight 618 Crash, 1960 − reasons remain unknown
Early in the morning of 26 February 1960, the Alitalia Flight 618 aircraft, which had only just taken off from Shannon Airport, unfortunately, struck the ground and crashed into the nearby Clonloghan cemetery.
Tragically, the crash caused thirty-four people to perish upon impact. Of the 52 people on board, only 18 managed to survive, albeit with serious injuries.
The investigation into the accident did not prove to be very fruitful as official investigators failed to acquire any evidence which explained the direct cause of the terrible crash.
3. KLM aircraft crash, 1954 − a fatal crash in the Shannon estuary
On September 5, 1954, twenty-eight people died when a KLM aircraft crashed as it left Shannon Airport after a refuelling stop at 2:30 am.
The aircraft travelling from Amsterdam to New York crashed into the Shannon estuary shortly after take-off.
An inquest into the crash revealed that 27 people had died from petrol vapours while another victim had died from cardiac failure. This was certainly one of the worst Irish air disasters of all time.
2. Aer Lingus Flight 712, 1968 − a devastating accident
On March 24, 1968, Aer Lingus Flight 712, which flew from Cork to London Heathrow, tragically crashed into the sea near Tuskar Rock off the coast of County Wexford at approximately 12:15 pm.
All 57 passengers and four crew died in the crash. The passengers and crew were from many different countries, such as Switzerland, Belgium, Britain and Ireland, with 36 of the 61 being from the Cork area. Tragically only 14 bodies were ever recovered.
In 2002, a government-commissioned study into the incident concluded that the cause of the crash may have been due to structural failure of the aircraft, metal fatigue, corrosion or even a bird strike.
The report also highlighted the Aer Lingus crew’s efforts to keep the stricken aircraft flying for a further 30 minutes after the initial triggering incident.
1. KLM Super Constellation crash, 1958 − the worst civil aviation disaster of its time
In first place on our list of the top five worst Irish air disasters of all time is the KLM Super Constellation crash, which occurred on August 14, 1958.
After the plane had stopped to refuel at Shannon Airport and take on board six passengers, it took off at 4 am, and its last radio broadcast was just 35 minutes later.
The KLM Super Constellation crashed off Ireland’s west coast, causing 99 passengers and crew to perish. The wreckage was located 90 miles off the Galway coast just hours after their last transmission to Shannon Air traffic control.
That concludes our article on what we believe to be the top five worst Irish air disasters of all time. Are there any other air disasters in Ireland that you think deserve mention on our list?
