Year Ender 2024: 2024’s major plane crashes claim over 400 lives
PTC Web Desk: This week, two plane crashes in Kazakhstan and South Korea claimed the lives of 217 persons. The most recent incident occurred in Muan, South Korea, where a gearbox malfunction caused the plane to crash during landing.
According to reports, the aircraft had 181 persons onboard, including six crew members. Out of these, 179 persons their lives. In the Kazakhstan plane crash, 38 persons were killed.
In 2024, eight major plane crashes have been reported, resulting in the loss of 402 lives. Most accidents were caused by bad weather or engine malfunctions. One such crash also claimed the lives of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and several other leaders.
Here’s a look at the eight plane crashes that occurred this year.
January 24: Russian military plane crash claims 74 lives
The first major plane crash of the year occurred in January in Russia's Belgorod region. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 74 persons, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners and nine Russian crew members onboard.
Following the crash, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that the plane was struck by a Ukrainian missile. However, Ukraine dismissed this allegation, calling it a conspiracy by Russia.
March 12: Plane Crash in Ivanovo, Russia
A cargo plane, Ilyushin IL-76, crashed in Russia's Ivanovo Oblast on March 12. The crash claimed the lives of 15 persons — seven passengers and eight crew members. The incident occurred due to an engine fire that led to the plane's failure mid-flight.
May 19: Iranian President's helicopter crash
In May, a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi crashed due to bad weather. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and seven others, totaling nine deaths.
The presidential convoy included three helicopters, two of which reached safety. However, the ill-fated helicopter crashed while navigating through dense fog in a mountainous region near Jolfa, a border town with Azerbaijan, approximately 600 km from Tehran.
June 10: Malawi's Vice President dies in plane crash
On June 10, Malawi's Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima died in a plane crash. The aircraft, which went missing on that day, was later found with wreckage. Tragically, none of the nine persons onboard survived the crash. The crash was attributed to bad weather conditions at the time of the flight.
July 24: Plane crash in Nepal
On July 24, 2024, a Saurya Airlines plane crashed while en route to Pokhara from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. The aircraft, with the registration number 9N-AME, was involved in the tragic incident, resulting in the deaths of 18 persons.
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, around 11 am, just minutes into the flight. Among the victims, 17 were Saurya Airlines staff, while the remaining two were crew members. The 21-year-old plane was being tested after repairs.
August 9: Brazil plane crash claims 62 lives
On August 9, a Voepass 2283 flight crashed in Vinhedo, São Paulo state, Brazil. All 62 persons onboard, including passengers and crew members, lost their lives in the tragic incident. The flight was a domestic Brazilian passenger flight, and investigations into the cause of the crash are still ongoing.
December 25: Azerbaijan plane crash claims 38 lives
On December 25, a passenger plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of 38 persons. The aircraft had 62 passengers and 5 crew members onboard. The plane, travelling from Azerbaijan to Grozny, the capital of Russia's Chechnya region, was forced to make an emergency landing about 3 km from Aktau. During the landing, the plane crashed and split into two parts, catching fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised for the crash, expressing his condolences to the President of Azerbaijan. He stated that the incident occurred in Azerbaijan's airspace, and he was deeply saddened by it.
December 29: Plane crash in South Korea claims 179 lives
A Jeju Air flight crashed at Muan Airport in South Korea on December 29. The aircraft, which had 181 persons onboard, including 175 passengers and six crew members, was en route from Bangkok and preparing to land at the airport. However, due to a malfunction in the landing gear, the plane's wheels failed to deploy.
An emergency belly landing was attempted, but the plane crashed shortly after. So far, 179 bodies have been recovered, while two persons were rescued from the wreckage.
- With inputs from agencies
