14 Mysterious Airplane Disappearances

Hoping for the recovery of Malaysian Airlines' flight MH370.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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With the ongoing mystery surrounding Malaysian Airlines' flight MH370, there is no doubt that we have all been reminded of the inherent dangers and risks involved with flight. Such disappearances always raise a lot of questions and generate theories. These are mysteries that everybody wants to solve, to understand. We took a look back into history and dug up 14 other flight disappearances. Perhaps by analysing past disappearances, it might be easier to understand the present disappearance and prevent future occurrences. 

RELATED: In Memoriam: 14 Fatal Sports Plane Crashes

Amelia Earhart

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US Army Air Corps B-24 D

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Glenn Miller Disappearance

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Flight 19 Incedent

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Star Dust

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When: August 2nd, 1947
Where: Mount Tupungato, Andes
Aircraft: British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian airliner
Recovered? Partially

The BSAA Star Dust disappeared while it was making its way from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile. There was a single Morse code message sent from the plane just before it supposedly crashed and disappeared for 50 years. The message was: STENDEC. There are multiple theories about the actual meaning of the message: (1) It is an acronym for Starting En-route Descent or Severe Turbulence Encountered Now Descending Emergency Crash-landing, (2) STENDEC is an anagram of DESCENT, (3) the Morse code interpretor might have misread the code.

It was only in 1998 that two climbers found parts of the plane. The complete plane hasn't yet been recovered. It is speculated that it hit a vertical snow field when it crashed, causing an avalanche. The complete plane can only be recovered once the glacial snow melts down the mountain, thereby carrying whats left of the plane with it.

Star Tiger

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When: January 30th, 1948
Where: Bermuda Triangle
Aircraft: British South American Airways' Star Tiger
Recovered? No

The BSAA Star Tiger carried 25 passengers and was flying behind a Lancastrian plane that was supposed to be on the lookout for bad weather conditions. The plane was travelling from Santa Maria, Azores to Bermuda. Due to the weather, the Star Tiger was blown off course and flew into a gale in order to reach its destination. It is speculated that a gust of wind might have blown the plane into the sea or that the pilot might have crashed into the sea out of fatigue from a long flight.

DC-3 Airliner

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Star Ariel

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Flight 571

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Piper Navajo Solo

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Egypt Air 990

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Steve Fossett's Bellanca Super Decathalon

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Air France Flight 447

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Missoni's Private Plane

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