Why Did Soviet Air Defense Shoot Down This Civilian Plane? — #TBT Week of April 19

In the spirit of #TBT (“Throwback Thursday,” not Brazil’s Tabatinga Airport) FlyerTalk takes a look back at the events that helped shape modern aviation. Here are just a few moments from history that changed the face of the industry during the week of April 19.

April 19, 2009

Prior to departing Montego Bay Sangster International Airport (MBJ), CanJet Flight 918 was held hostage by a lone hijacker. The 20-year-old hijacker boarded the aircraft with a handgun and demanded to be flown to Cuba. After eight hours of negotiations, officers raided the Boeing 737-800 and arrested the hijacker.

Though there were no fatalities, MBJ came under heavy scrutiny for the lack of security in place at the airport.

April 20, 1978

A case of mistaken identity resulted in the crash landing of a commercial aircraft flying over Soviet airspace. Korean Air Lines Flight 902, en route from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) to Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP), entered Soviet airspace on its way to a stopover at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

Officials at Soviet Air Defense mistook the aircraft for an American reconnaissance jet and scrambled fighter jets to intercept. On orders, one of the pilots fired at the Boeing 707, causing the aircraft to crash in the Soviet Union. Two passengers onboard were killed, and the remaining 107 were ultimately deported to Seoul.  

April 21, 2011

After a successful first flight three years prior, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 entered service with the Armenian flag carrier, Armavia. The Superjet gained notoriety as the first commercial aircraft designed and constructed in post-Soviet Russia.

Arguably one of the most elusive commercial aircraft in service, the Superjet 100 primarily flies with Aeroflot, Interjet and other Eastern European air carriers. 

April 22, 1985

It was the beginning of the end of Pan Am. On April 22, United Airlines entered an agreement to purchase Pan Am’s trans-Pacific air routes. The deal included rights to fly international routes from the U.S. to Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, among other destinations. In addition, United also bought 18 aircraft from Pan Am to support the new routes.

Although Pan Am said that the sale was part of a cash infusion and changing business strategy, the airline would ultimately fold in 1991. 

April 23, 1988

After nearly two decades of debate, the first smoking ban on flights over the U.S. went into effect. The first step by the FAA involved banning smoking on flights of two hours or less, as measured by the Official Airline Guide, regardless of delays. Smoking on flights six hours or less would be banned by 1990, with smoking permanently banned on flights of any length by 2000. 

April 24, 1946

Demonstrating a novel idea for air cargo transportation, Winged Cargo took to the skies for the first time. Operating a Douglas C-47, their air cargo plan consisted of towing a glider packed with over three tons of goods. The first delivery took goods from their headquarters in Philadelphia to Havana, Cuba.

Winged Cargo ultimately shut down just over 18 months later following a number of high-profile crashes. 

April 25, 1993

After an 11-hour hijacking attempt by three men, Indian Airlines Flight 427 came to an abrupt end thanks to the Indian National Security Guard. The hijackers, members of a separatist group, demanded the Boeing 737 be flown to Afghanistan.

The plane landed at Amritsar’s airport, where the National Security Guard was able to storm in through multiple entrances and bring the standoff to an end in less than one minute.