The Manchester Air Disaster: A Tragic Accident That Shouldn't Have Happened

TLDRBritish air tours Flight 28, scheduled to take 131 passengers from Manchester to Corfu, turned into a nightmare when a fire broke out on the plane just moments before takeoff. Despite not even leaving the runway, 55 people lost their lives in this tragic accident. The investigation seeks to understand how a survivable emergency turned into one of British aviation's most horrific disasters.

Key insights

⚠️Despite not even leaving the runway, a fire broke out on British air tours Flight 28, resulting in the loss of 55 lives.

✈️Flight 28 was a British Airways low-cost flight from Manchester to Corfu, operating under the British air tours division.

🔥The investigation is focused on understanding how a survivable emergency turned into a deadly disaster.

🌐This accident added to the increasing number of air disasters in 1985, making it the deadliest year in commercial aviation history.

👥Passenger testimonies reveal the panic and chaos that ensued as they tried to escape the burning plane.

Q&A

What caused the fire on Flight 28?

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, with focus on the engines.

How many people lost their lives in the accident?

A total of 55 people lost their lives in the Manchester air disaster.

Was there any warning before the fire broke out?

Passengers reported hearing a loud noise before the fire, but the exact cause is still being determined.

What actions were taken by the crew to evacuate the passengers?

The crew attempted to complete an evacuation checklist but ultimately left the cockpit through the windows to escape the fire.

How did the Manchester air disaster impact commercial aviation?

The tragedy added to the increasing concerns about air travel safety in 1985, which was already marked by several major accidents.

Timestamped Summary

00:00British air tours Flight 28, scheduled to take 131 passengers from Manchester to Corfu, turned into a nightmare when a fire broke out on the plane just moments before takeoff.

07:11Despite not even leaving the runway, a fire broke out on the plane, leading to the loss of 55 lives in the Manchester air disaster.

09:59Passengers and crew members quickly evacuated the plane, facing obstacles such as jammed doors and thick black smoke.

16:01The tragedy added to the growing number of air disasters in 1985, making it the deadliest year in commercial aviation history.

17:30An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire and understand how a survivable emergency turned into one of British aviation's most horrific disasters.