What happened in Delta flight 191?

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation found that wind shear associated with a microburst from a thunderstorm caused the plane to come crashing down 1,000 feet while attempting to land.



On August 2, 1985, Delta Air Lines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, crashed while on approach to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) during a severe thunderstorm. The primary cause was a meteorological phenomenon known as a microburst, which created intense, localized wind shear. The aircraft was suddenly pushed downward by a powerful downdraft, striking a car on a highway and hitting two large water tanks before disintegrating. The disaster claimed 137 lives (134 on board and one on the ground), making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in U.S. history. This tragedy became a pivotal moment for aviation safety; it led to the mandatory installation of airborne wind shear detection systems on all commercial aircraft and the development of high-resolution Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) at airports. It also changed how pilots are trained to identify and recover from sudden wind changes, fundamentally making modern air travel significantly safer by preventing similar occurrences.

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Generally, Delta is a good airline for travelers who want a comfortable flight experience overall at a cost that's in line with its service and offerings.

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