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Flight 191: The Crash That Changed Air Travel
On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 took off from Chicago—and crashed just 31 seconds later, killing all 271 people on board.
The left engine fell off moments after takeoff, damaging critical systems. Despite the crew’s efforts, the plane became uncontrollable and went down in a nearby field.
Investigators found the engine had been improperly reattached during maintenance, revealing a dangerous flaw in the DC-10’s design. The disaster led to stricter safety rules and inspection procedures across the airline industry.
Flight 191 remains a powerful reminder of the cost of oversight—and the importance of putting safety first.
