Unraveling the Enigma: Most Mysterious Plane Disappearances and Plane Crashes in History

The world of aviation has witnessed countless tragedies over the years, but few have left as many unanswered questions as the most mysterious plane disappearances and plane crashes in history. These incidents have left investigators, aviation experts, and families of the victims searching for answers. In this blog, we'll delve into some of the most mysterious plane crashes and disappearances in history, exploring the baffling mysteries that shroud them.

Flight 19, Bermuda Triangle Mystery

Date of Occurrence: 5 December, 1945
Summary: Disappearance
Site: Atlantic Ocean
Aircraft type: Grumman TBM Avenger
Crew: 14
Number of Casualties: 14

Flight 19, consisting of five TBM Avenger Torpedo bombers, famously vanished in history. On December 5, 1945, these aircraft were slated for a three-hour exercise known as "Navigation Problem Number One." However, they disappeared mysteriously over the Bermuda Triangle, fueling the Bermuda Triangle conspiracy, and leaving no trace behind.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the seaplane exploded shortly after taking off.

EgyptAir Flight 990

Date of Occurrence: 31 October, 1999
Summary: Mechanical failure of the aircraft elevator control system (Alleged) or intentional crash by the pilot.
Site: Atlantic Ocean, south of Nantucket
Aircraft type: Boeing 767-366ER
IATA Flight No: MS990
Occupants: 217
Passengers: 203
Crew: 14
Number of Casualties: 217

On October 31, 1999, EgyptAir Flight 990 (MS990/MSR990) was supposed to travel from Los Angeles International Airport to Cairo International Airport. However, it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 62 miles south of Nantucket Island. This plane crash remains unsolved and stands as the second deadliest aircraft accident in history.

Investigation
The Egyptian government began a search and rescue inquiry, which they later officially handed over to the US authorities.

British South American Airways Star Ariel was an Avro Tudor Mark IVB aircraft that disappeared mysteriously over the Atlantic Ocean. On January 17, 1949, the BSAA carrier was scheduled to fly from Kindley Field, Bermuda to Kingston Jamaica with a stopover in the Bahamas.

Investigation
The US Air Force carried out a five-day rescue operation without making any headway. According to the Star Tiger investigation, it was determined that there was no credible evidence to determine the cause, and this plane disappearance remains an unsolved mystery.

Aer Lingus Flight 712

Date of Occurrence: 24 March, 1968
Summary: Structural failure of the aircraft without any conclusive cause.
Site: Irish Sea, St. George’s Channel
Aircraft type: Vickers Viscount 803
Occupants: 61
Passengers: 57
Crew: 4
Number of Casualties: 61

On March 24, 1968, Aer Lingus Flight 712 was supposed to travel from Cork, Ireland to London. It is believed that the plane experienced severe structural failure, resulting in the aircraft's crash. The aircraft ceased radio communication at an altitude of 17,000 feet above the sea. Investigators determined that it was involved in a tragic aviation incident and ultimately crashed into the Irish Sea.
Investigation
An investigation was followed for two years which deemed the cause of aircraft failure inconclusive.
Thirteen bodies of the occupants were discovered over the next few days of the crash and there were zero survivors from the incident.
Proposed causes in investigation reports include possible bird impact, mechanical/structural failure, or possible missile impact.

BSAA Star Dust crash

Date of Occurrence: 2 August, 1947
Summary: Disappearance
Site: Mount Tupungato, Argentina
Aircraft type: Avro Lancastrian
Crew: 5
Number of Casualties: 11

The British South American Airways (BSAA) Star Dust crash has remained one of history's most mysterious plane crashes because of the enigmas surrounding it for decades. It wasn't until the 1990s that some wreckage and evidence were discovered, nearly 50 years later.
Disappearance
An Avro Lancastrian airliner, flying from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, was the aircraft involved. It crashed into Mount Tupungato in the Andes Mountains, and there were no communications exchanged.
The final message in the StarDust Morse code transmission was 'STENDEC,' repeated twice.
This further deepened its mystery as no satisfactory explanation has ever been provided.

Air France Flight 447

Date of Occurrence: 1 June, 2009
Summary: The flight entered a high-altitude stall due to aircraft equipment malfunctioning.
Site: Atlantic Ocean
Aircraft type: Airbus A330-203
IATA Flight No.: AF447
Passengers: 216
Crew: 12
Number of Casualties: 228

On June 1, 2009, Airbus A330-203 Flight 447 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean during its route from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France. The pilots encountered unstable airspeed, causing them to stall the aircraft in mid-air. Unfortunately, the aircraft couldn't regain control, and radio contact was lost approximately three hours after takeoff.
Investigation
It was estimated that the aircraft experienced malfunctioning pitot tubes, leading to unstable airspeeds. This, in turn, caused the autopilot feature to disconnect, and the flight crew subsequently lost control of the aircraft.

During their operation, the search and rescue team discovered 640 pieces of aircraft debris and retrieved 50 bodies. They concluded the search and rescue operation on June 16, 2009.

Conclusion

These plane crash mysteries and mysterious disappearances remind us of the enigmatic nature of the skies. While aviation technology and safety measures have come a long way, these unsolved cases serve as a testament to the vastness and unpredictability of our world. The enduring enigma of these incidents continues to spark curiosity and intrigue, keeping the allure of aviation mysteries, especially mysterious plane disappearances, alive in our collective imagination.