
Here are 15 of the worst air disasters in the history of North America, as two recent incidents have struck the United States, in Washington and Philadelphia.
January 13, 1982

This flight crashed into the Potomac River, in Washington, two miles from the White House, killing 70 passengers and 4 crew members. Bad weather was considered the cause of the accident.
July 9, 1982

A flight departing from New Orleans crashed shortly after takeoff, striking trees and houses, killing 145 people on board.
August 2, 1985

A Delta airplane struck by lightning crashed near Dallas International Airport, hitting a car and two water tanks. 134 passengers lost their lives.
August 16, 1987

A Northwest Airlines plane crashed shortly after taking off in Romulus, Michigan, resulting in the loss of 148 passengers and 6 crew members.
July 19, 1989

After a mechanical failure, this aircraft crashed before reaching Sioux City, Iowa, killing 111 people.
September 8, 1994

While attempting to land in Pittsburgh, this aircraft crashed, experiencing destruction from the force of the impact. 132 people, including 127 passengers, were on board at the time of the accident.
May 11, 1996

10 minutes after its departure from Miami, this plane ended its journey in the Everglades, sacrificing the 110 individuals on board in the process.
July 17, 1996

En route to Paris, this flight from New York sank into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 230 people on board, as the aircraft was completely destroyed.
January 31, 2000

An Alaska plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean, near Anacapa Island, California. A total of 88 people were killed in the crash.
September 11, 2001

Probably the most well-known tragedy involving planes in history. Two planes flew into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, killing over 3000 people. This is the deadliest aviation incident in the history of humanity. Two other planes also crashed during 9/11.
November 12, 2001

This flight ended in a residential area of Belle Harbor, New York, and the 260 people on board did not survive.
August 27, 2006

Upon taking off from Lexington, Kentucky, this aircraft took the wrong path, resulting in nearly 50 people losing their lives.
February 12, 2009

A Colgan aircraft crashed in the Buffalo area, New York, killing all 50 people on board, including 45 passengers.
January 30, 2025

In the Washington area, an American Eagle plane and a Black Hawk helicopter collided, leaving no survivors. About sixty people were on board the plane, while a few soldiers were inside the helicopter. Several bodies were found in the Potomac River.
January 31, 2025

A small plane crashed in the Philadelphia region, killing 7 people, including a child. 19 civilians on the ground were also injured during the fall.