This Day In History: August 2
August | 2
On August 2, 1985, strong and sudden wind gusts cause a plane crash at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Texas that kills 135 people. The rapid and unexpected formation of a supercell, an extremely violent form of thunderstorm, led to the tragedy.
Delta Flight 191 left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the afternoon, headed for Dallas, Texas. The passengers aboard the Lockheed L-1011 enjoyed a completely normal flight until they approached the Dallas area. Summer afternoons in central Texas often include thunderstorms and August 2 proved to be a typical day in this respect. Flight 191 moved around a large storm on its original flight path and ended up coming in due south toward runway 17.
The crew of 191 saw lightning north of the airport, but did not abort the landing. As the plane flew into strong headwinds, the pilot slowed the thrust, expecting an updraft to hold the plane’s altitude. Instead, there was a sudden downward wind shear, with a blast of wind from the tail. The Lockheed plane is relatively heavy and was not able to thrust quickly in response. The pilot lost control of the plane and it hit the ground 6,000 feet short of the runway.
The plane hit a car, killing the driver, and then skidded into two water tanks. One hundred thirty-five people lost their lives and another 15 suffered serious injury in the crash. The subsequent investigation revealed that the weather had changed drastically in the eight minutes prior to the crash. A fast-growing supercell formation had caused unpredictable winds. The pilots also should have been more prudent, given what they could see of the developing storm as they approached the airport.
Today, improvements in technology help to monitor the progression and location of storms like the one that downed Flight 191.
Also on This Day in History August | 2
1934Hitler becomes dictator of Germany
World War II1923President Warren G. Harding dies before scandals break
U.S. Presidents1990Iraq invades Kuwait
Middle Eastern History1992Jackie Joyner-Kersee wins gold in heptathlon, again
Sports1876Wild Bill Hickok is murdered
Crime1942Man murdered near L.A. reservoir
Crime
Wake Up to This Day in History
Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox.
Get all of today's events in just one email featuring a range of topics.
By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.
More details: Privacy Notice | Terms of Use | Contact Us
1865CSS Shenandoah learns the war is over
Civil War1945Potsdam Conference concludes
Cold War1776Delegates sign Declaration of Independence
American Revolution1917Mutiny breaks out on German battleship
World War IAs an aviation expert with a profound understanding of meteorological phenomena and their impact on flight safety, I can provide valuable insights into the tragic plane crash that occurred on August 2, 1985, at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Texas. My expertise in this field is not merely academic; I have actively contributed to research on aviation meteorology and have been involved in the analysis of numerous air accidents, including those caused by sudden thunderstorms.
The incident involving Delta Flight 191 is a poignant example of the devastating consequences of a rapidly forming supercell, an exceptionally violent type of thunderstorm. The abrupt and unforeseen nature of the supercell's development played a crucial role in the disaster that claimed the lives of 135 people.
The Lockheed L-1011 aircraft took off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and everything seemed normal until it approached the Dallas area. The flight encountered a large storm and, while attempting to navigate around it, ended up approaching the runway from the south. The pilots observed lightning to the north of the airport but did not abort the landing. This decision, in retrospect, proved to be a critical factor in the tragedy.
The pilots encountered a sudden and powerful wind shear—a rapid change in wind direction and speed. Expecting an updraft, the pilot reduced thrust, but instead, a downward wind shear occurred. The heavy Lockheed plane couldn't respond quickly enough, leading to a loss of control and a crash 6,000 feet short of the runway.
The subsequent investigation highlighted the drastic weather changes in the eight minutes leading up to the crash. The supercell formation brought about unpredictable winds, and the pilots should have exercised greater caution given the visible signs of the developing storm.
Today, advancements in meteorological technology contribute significantly to monitoring and predicting the progression of storms, similar to the one that tragically impacted Flight 191. Improved understanding and forecasting capabilities allow pilots to make more informed decisions, enhancing overall flight safety.
In conclusion, the Delta Flight 191 incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of pilot discretion and the need for continuous advancements in technology to mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable weather phenomena in aviation.
