History of Emergency landing in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 25, 2026

An emergency landing is when an aircraft lands prematurely due to an immediate threat to its safety or operation, or because a passenger or crew member urgently needs to end the flight. This usually means diverting to the closest suitable airport or airbase. If reaching an airfield is impossible, the plane might have to land off-airport or ditch in water. Air traffic control prioritizes these flights over all others once an emergency is declared.

April 4, 1977: Southern Airways Flight 242 crashes after forced landing

On April 4, 1977, Southern Airways Flight 242 crashed after a forced landing on a highway near New Hope, Georgia, United States, due to engine failure from hail and rain. The crash resulted in multiple fatalities.

June 1982: British Airways Flight 9 loses engine power due to volcanic ash

In June 1982, British Airways Flight 9, a Boeing 747, flew into a plume of volcanic ash and lost power in all four engines. Three engines recovered, and the flight diverted to Jakarta.

June 2, 1983: Air Canada Flight 797 burns after landing

On June 2, 1983, Air Canada Flight 797 burned after landing at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport after a fire started in the cabin.

July 23, 1983: Gimli Glider lands safely after running out of fuel

On July 23, 1983, the Gimli Glider, an Air Canada Boeing 767, ran out of fuel and glided to a safe landing in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada.

April 28, 1988: Aloha Airlines Flight 243 experiences explosive decompression

On April 28, 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243 experienced an explosive decompression when a section of aluminium skin separated from the fuselage. The flight diverted to Kahului Airport. One flight attendant died.

July 19, 1989: United Airlines Flight 232 breaks up during landing

On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 broke up while landing at Sioux City, Iowa, United States.

August 24, 2001: Air Transat Flight 236 makes forced landing in the Azores

On August 24, 2001, Air Transat Flight 236, an Airbus A330, ran out of fuel over the Atlantic Ocean and made a successful forced landing in the Azores.

2003: Research on autonomous forced landing

Since 2003, research has been conducted on enabling unmanned aerial vehicles to perform a forced landing autonomously.

November 1, 2011: LOT Polish Airlines Flight 016 makes belly landing

On November 1, 2011, a Boeing 767 LOT Polish Airlines Flight 016 made a belly landing after a central hydraulic system failure at Warsaw, Poland's Frederic Chopin International Airport, with no injuries.