Today marks the 46th anniversary of the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history — the crash of American Airlines Flight 191. On May 25, 1979, 273 people lost their lives when the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Flight 191 was en route to Los Angeles when, moments after liftoff, the plane’s left engine separated from the wing, severing hydraulic lines and disabling key safety systems. The pilots struggled to maintain control, but within seconds, the aircraft rolled to the left and plummeted into a nearby field, erupting in flames.
All 271 passengers and crew members on board were killed instantly, along with two individuals on the ground. The crash remains the single deadliest aviation disaster on U.S. soil, excluding the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all DC-10 aircraft until further inspections and modifications were completed. The incident prompted sweeping reforms in aircraft maintenance protocols and regulatory oversight.
Survivors’ families and aviation professionals continue to honor the victims each year with memorial ceremonies held near the crash site in Des Plaines, Illinois. The memorial serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the importance of continued vigilance in aviation safety.
