Miracle Over Mount Fuji: Remembering the Daring Crash Landing of a Boeing 707
In a harrowing accident that would be remembered in aviation history, a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Boeing 707 plane made a miraculous crash landing above the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji in Japan. The risky maneuver, which occurred on March 5, 1966, demonstrated the superior skill and poise of the pilots, managing to save the lives of all on board.
A Routine Flight Turns into a Desperate Situation
Flight 911, a BOAC Boeing 707, departed Tokyo's Haneda Airport for Hong Kong with a stopover at Fukuoka, Japan. There were 113 passengers and 11 crew members on board. When the plane was flying at 16,000 feet, the crew faced extreme turbulence, which resulted in the plane being subjected to extreme instability.
Pilots' Quick Thinking and Exceptional Skill Save the Day
Confronted by the very real possibility of a devastating crash, the pilots reacted swiftly. Using all of their training and experience, they were able to wrest control of the plane back from the ravaging turbulence. But the aircraft had taken severe damage, such as the loss of its vertical stabilizer and its heavily damaged tail section.
A Controlled Crash Landing Over Mount Fuji
With the plane badly damaged, the pilots were faced with the tough choice of trying a controlled crash landing. They knew a narrow valley not far from Mount Fuji, and with skill, they navigated the plane onto the relatively flat ground. The plane landed hard but surprisingly, did not break apart, which saved the lives of all the passengers on board.
Investigation and Aftermath
The following investigation into the accident revealed that the violent turbulence was produced by a unusual weather phenomenon known as a "mountain wave." The accident resulted in fundamental changes in air safety procedures, such as introducing more sophisticated weather forecasting systems and more durable plane designs.
The incredible crash landing of Flight 911 over Mount Fuji is a testament to the outstanding skill and heroism of the pilots, who risked their own lives to rescue their passengers. The accident will forever be remembered as one of the most incredible in aviation history.