Korean Air Flight 801: Tragic Crash Kills 229
Devastating Impact Leaves 25 Survivors with Severe Injuries
Investigation Uncovers Pilot Error, Inadequate Training, and Equipment Malfunctions
On August 6, 1997, Korean Air Flight 801, a Boeing 747-300, crashed into high terrain at Nimitz Hill, Guam, killing 229 of the 254 people on board.
The intensity of the impact resulted in the tragic loss of 228 passengers and 3 flight crew members, who were burned alive in the wreckage. However, amidst the devastation, 22 passengers and 3 flight attendants miraculously survived the crash.
Survivors recalled the terrifying moments leading up to the crash. The flight encountered heavy rain and instrument meteorological conditions as it approached Guam International Airport. Despite likely exiting the rainstorm shortly before the accident, the flight crew was unable to see the ground due to poor visibility.
A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified pilot error and inadequate training as key factors in the crash. A malfunctioning navigational system also contributed to the tragic events.
The disaster prompted significant changes in pilot training and aircraft equipment. It remains the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States and its territories with survivors.
Today, a memorial stands on Nimitz Hill, marking the site of the tragic crash. It bears the names of the victims and the survivors who endured the unimaginable horrors of that fateful day.
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