On July 28, 1993, a Boeing 737-200 aircraft operated by TACA Airlines crashed on approach to Rockaway Beach, New York, killing all 190 passengers and crew on board. The crash marked the deadliest aviation disaster in New York City history, and one of the deadliest in the United States at the time.
The flight, TACA Flight 110, had originated in San Salvador, El Salvador and made stops in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Belize City, Belize before continuing on to New York. The plane was approaching JFK Airport when it crashed into Rockaway Beach, a neighborhood located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.
Investigations into the cause of the crash revealed that the plane had encountered severe turbulence as it approached JFK Airport, causing the pilots to lose control. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the pilots had not properly trained for such a scenario, and had not followed proper procedures for recovering from a loss of control.
The NTSB also found that the plane's airspeed indicators were faulty, which may have contributed to the pilots' inability to properly control the aircraft. In addition, the plane's crew had not been properly rested, as they had been working for over 13 hours at the time of the crash.
The crash of TACA Flight 110 was a tragic reminder of the importance of proper training and maintenance in aviation. It also highlighted the need for better communication and coordination between pilots and air traffic controllers, as well as the importance of ensuring that crew members are adequately rested before operating an aircraft.
In the aftermath of the crash, TACA Airlines implemented a number of safety improvements, including better training for pilots and maintenance personnel, and increased cooperation with air traffic controllers. These changes have helped to improve the safety of air travel, and have likely prevented similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Rockaway Beach plane crash remains a poignant reminder of the risks associated with air travel, and serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing efforts to improve safety in the aviation industry.