The year 2024 will be remembered as one of the deadliest for global aviation, with a series of tragic 2024 Plane Incidents and Crashes claiming hundreds of lives. From large commercial airliners to small private aircraft, the year witnessed numerous disasters, raising serious questions about flight safety, airline practices, and regulatory oversight worldwide. Many of these crashes occurred in December, a month typically associated with the peak holiday travel season, deepening the tragedy and sparking renewed concerns.
Light Aircraft Crash in UAE: 2 Dead
On December 29, a small plane from Jazirah Aviation Club crashed into the sea off Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Tragically, both the pilot and co-pilot lost their lives. The cause of the crash is under investigation, and authorities are looking into the plane’s mechanical and operational conditions at the time of the incident.
KLM Flight 1204: No Fatalities
On December 29, KLM flight 1204, a Boeing 737-800, skidded off the runway shortly after takeoff at Oslo Airport due to a hydraulic failure. While the plane suffered significant damage, no fatalities were reported. All 172 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, but the incident highlighted the potential risks of mechanical failures during takeoff.
Air Canada Flight 2259: No Fatalities
On December 28, an Air Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft experienced a landing gear failure while attempting an emergency landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The plane caught fire as it skidded along the runway, but all 60 passengers and crew members on board survived the incident, thanks to a swift response from emergency crews.
South Korea Plane Crash: 179 Dead
The deadliest aviation disaster of the year occurred on December 28, when a Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Muan Airport. The flight was en route from Bangkok to Seoul when it lost control during the landing attempt. Tragically, 179 people were killed, including 175 passengers and four crew members. Only two crew members survived after the aircraft belly-landed and exploded into a fireball, slamming into a wall. This disaster has raised significant concerns about emergency landing procedures, aircraft stability, and fire suppression systems on planes.
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 28243: 38 Dead
On December 25, Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, an Embraer ERJ-190AR, crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, killing all 38 people on board. The flight had departed from Baku and was headed to Grozny when it reportedly encountered mechanical issues with altitude and speed, leading to an emergency situation. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev later stated that the aircraft had been shot down while flying over Russian territory, further complicating the already dangerous conditions. Despite the severity of the crash, there were no survivors. The incident has raised alarms about flight safety in conflict zones and the risks posed by political tensions.
Small Aircraft Crash in Scotland: Pilot Dead
On December 23, a small aircraft near Scotland’s Fife Airport crashed, killing the 50-year-old pilot. The aircraft reportedly made unusual maneuvers shortly after takeoff before plunging into a field. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.
Private Plane Crash in Brazil: 10 Dead
On December 22, a private plane crashed in Brazil’s Gramado region, killing 10 people, including Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, his wife, three daughters, and five other family members. The aircraft collided with a chimney and several buildings before crashing to the ground. At least 17 people on the ground were also injured in the incident.
Papua New Guinea Islander Crash: 5 Dead
On December 22, a Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander aircraft operated by North Coast Aviation crashed in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province, killing all five people on board. The plane was traveling from Wasu Airport to Lae-Nadzab Airport when it went down in a remote area.
Brazil Missing Plane: 2 Dead
On December 20, a Cessna plane en route from Porto Velho to Manaus in Brazil went missing. The wreckage was found on December 25 in the Amazon rainforest, and the bodies of the pilot and a passenger were recovered from the wreckage.
Hawaii Crash: 2 Dead
On December 17, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan operated by Kamaka Air crashed near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. Both pilots were killed in the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff. Reports indicate the plane appeared to lose control before performing a sharp left bank and crashing into a building.
Argentina Challenger Crash: 2 Dead
Also on December 17, a Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 300 crashed near San Fernando Airport in Argentina, killing both pilots. The aircraft reportedly missed the runway, hit a perimeter fence, collided with a tree, and caught fire upon impact.
Thailand Charter Plane Crash: 9 Dead
On August 23, a domestic charter flight, TFT209, crashed 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, Thailand, killing all nine people on board. The flight, a Cessna Caravan C208B operated by Thai Flying Service, was en route from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Brazil VoePass Plane Crash: 62 Dead
On August 11, Voepass regional flight 2283, an ATR-72 turboprop, crashed in Vinhedo, Brazil, killing all 62 people on board. The flight was traveling from Cascavel to São Paulo when it crashed into a wooded area. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but the tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over small regional aircraft safety.
Nepal Small Plane Crash: 18 Dead
On July 24, a CRJ-200 aircraft belonging to Nepal’s Saurya Airlines crashed during takeoff from Kathmandu, killing 18 people on board and leaving one survivor. The crash, which occurred near Pokhara Airport, was caused by a loss of control as the plane attempted to take off.
Malawi Military Plane Crash: 10 Dead
On June 10, a military aircraft crashed in Malawi, killing 10 people, including the country’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri. The plane was en route from Lilongwe to Mzuzu when it went down, sparking widespread grief and shock across the nation.
Iran Helicopter Crash: 7 Dead
On May 19, a U.S.-made Bell 212 helicopter crashed in the Varzeqan region of Iran, killing all seven people on board, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The helicopter, which was on an official mission, went down in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border.
Canada Plane Crash: 6 Dead
On January 23, a plane operated by Northwestern Air crashed in Canada’s Northwest Territories, killing six people. The aircraft was carrying workers from global mining company Rio Tinto when it crashed near Fort Smith. One passenger survived the crash, while the rest, including four passengers and two crew members, died.
Japan Aircraft Collision: 6 Dead
On January 2, a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-941 collided with a smaller Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. While all 379 people aboard the JAL flight survived, five of the six crew members aboard the smaller aircraft were killed in the crash.
A Devastating Year for Aviation
The tragic crashes of 2024 have highlighted persistent concerns about aviation safety, from maintenance and operational standards to emergency response preparedness. While investigations into the causes of many of these disasters are ongoing, the high frequency of fatal accidents has already led to increased calls for stricter regulations, better aircraft technology, and more robust flight safety measures.
As the year draws to a close, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved in air travel, underscoring the need for continuous improvement in the global aviation industry to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The loss of life in these crashes has not only affected the families and communities of those involved but also sent ripples of anxiety through travelers worldwide, reigniting the conversation about the need for stronger aviation safety standards.
