Concorde has had one major crash during its operational history.
This single, tragic incident involved Air France Flight 4590. On July 25, 2000, the aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The catastrophic event resulted in the deaths of all 109 people on board, including 100 passengers and nine crew members, as well as four people on the ground.
The crash of Flight 4590 was a pivotal moment for the supersonic airliner. It was the only fatal incident involving Concorde, leading to a temporary suspension of its commercial service until November 2001, while significant safety modifications and improvements were implemented. Despite these efforts, the Concorde fleet was ultimately retired in 2003, partly due to the economic impact following the crash and other factors like rising maintenance costs and declining passenger numbers after 9/11.
Key Details of the Incident:
- Date: July 25, 2000
- Location: Gonesse, France (near Charles de Gaulle Airport)
- Aircraft: Air France Flight 4590, a Concorde (registration F-BTSC)
- Fatalities: 109 on board (100 passengers, 9 crew) and 4 on the ground, totaling 113.
- Cause: The crash was attributed to a titanium strip left on the runway by a preceding aircraft, which burst a tire on the Concorde during takeoff. A piece of the tire then struck the fuel tank, leading to a fire and engine failure.
- Impact: Led to a 15-month suspension of Concorde's commercial service and contributed to its eventual retirement.
While Concorde was known for its exceptional safety record over decades of service, this single, devastating crash remains a significant event in aviation history. For further information about Concorde's history and operations, you can refer to comprehensive resources like its Wikipedia page.
