On October 4, 1992, a routine flight took a devastating turn as El Al Flight 1862, a Boeing 747 cargo jet, experienced an unprecedented emergency just moments after takeoff from Amsterdam. This harrowing incident not only cost the lives of the three crew members and one passenger on board but also claimed the lives of 43 people on the ground. As residents of Amsterdam watched in horror, the aircraft struggled to stay airborne, contending with a deadly reality—its engines had tragically detached.
The day began like any other for Captain Yitzhak Fuks, First Officer Arnon Ohad, and Flight Engineer Jalia Sopur. After enjoying a brief layover in Amsterdam, they prepared to depart on Flight 1862 to Tel Aviv, unaware of the unseen issues that plagued their aircraft. Despite the Boeing 747’s incoming crew reporting problems with the autopilot and voltage fluctuations, the aircraft was cleared for takeoff after provisional repairs.
As the crew settled in for their flight, they were informed that there was one passenger aboard—23-year-old Anat Solomon, traveling to Israel for a new chapter in her life. With 74,000 liters of fuel and 114 metric tons of cargo, the crew finalized their pre-flight checks and pushed back from the gate.
Seconds after takeoff, things went horrifically wrong. At approximately 6,500 feet, the inboard engine on the right wing detached and collided with the outer engine, resulting in the loss of both engines on that side. The crew found themselves in the grip of a life-and-death struggle, desperately attempting to regain control while remaining unaware that their engines had literally fallen off.
With multiple warning systems malfunctioning and no visual indication of the engines’ loss, the flight crew experienced confusion and fear. Captain Fuks, drawing upon his extensive experience of over 25,000 flight hours, took the control from First Officer Ohad and fought to stabilize the aircraft’s flight path.
The aircraft, now reliant on two engines on the left side, began to yaw dangerously to the right. Despite Boeing's training manuals stating that the 747 could still fly with two engines from the same wing, the reality was far more complex. With hydraulic systems compromised from the engine detachment, control elements like ailerons and even landing gear began to fail as the crew fought against the increasing asymmetry of thrust.
Ground witnesses noted the ominous sound of failing engines and objects falling from the heavens, marking the unfolding disaster that the cockpit crew could not yet fully comprehend. With no significant means for making left-hand turns due to damages, the pilots faced an uphill challenge to navigate the aircraft back toward the runway.
As they neared the airport, the crew acknowledged the severity of their situation, recognizing that their plane was too fast and too high for a safe landing. Despite being alerted by air traffic control about their impending approach, the crew was unable to align themselves correctly with the runway due to extreme difficulties with the flight controls.
Once closer to the airport, a rise in cabin pressure forced the pilots to adjust their speed without the necessary lift provided by the flaps. All too soon, as their airspeed dwindled, the aircraft slipped into an aerodynamic stall, one of the most deadly scenarios for an aircraft in flight.
In a final desperate bid for safety, Captain Fuks tried to pull up and increase engine thrust, but the lacking aerodynamics rendered his efforts powerless. The inevitable occurred—the aircraft plummeted toward an apartment building in Amsterdam, crashing with horrific repercussions.
Consequences and Investigations
In the aftermath of the disaster, investigators sought to uncover how two engines could detach in flight. The ensuing investigation revealed critical insights into metal fatigue afflicting the aircraft's engine pylons, a problem that Boeing was already aware of after previous failures. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration had issued numerous directives addressing the pylon issues—yet, the necessary changes came too late for the victims of Flight 1862.
The tragic events of October 4, 1992, led Boeing to ultimately redesign the problematic components, introducing stainless steel parts to improve fatigue resistance and prevent future disasters.
Legacy of Safety Improvement
This disaster not only highlighted the vulnerabilities within aviation structures but also initiated a series of safety improvements that continue within the industry today. The memory of Flight 1862 resonates as a sobering reminder of the obligations owed to safety in air travel. While the improvements resulted from the tragedies faced that day, the loss of life remains a heart-wrenching chapter in aviation history, one that emphasizes the importance of learning from past mistakes to ensure a safer future.
Part 1/7:
The Tragic Story of El Al Flight 1862
On October 4, 1992, a routine flight took a devastating turn as El Al Flight 1862, a Boeing 747 cargo jet, experienced an unprecedented emergency just moments after takeoff from Amsterdam. This harrowing incident not only cost the lives of the three crew members and one passenger on board but also claimed the lives of 43 people on the ground. As residents of Amsterdam watched in horror, the aircraft struggled to stay airborne, contending with a deadly reality—its engines had tragically detached.
The Calm Before the Storm
Part 2/7:
The day began like any other for Captain Yitzhak Fuks, First Officer Arnon Ohad, and Flight Engineer Jalia Sopur. After enjoying a brief layover in Amsterdam, they prepared to depart on Flight 1862 to Tel Aviv, unaware of the unseen issues that plagued their aircraft. Despite the Boeing 747’s incoming crew reporting problems with the autopilot and voltage fluctuations, the aircraft was cleared for takeoff after provisional repairs.
As the crew settled in for their flight, they were informed that there was one passenger aboard—23-year-old Anat Solomon, traveling to Israel for a new chapter in her life. With 74,000 liters of fuel and 114 metric tons of cargo, the crew finalized their pre-flight checks and pushed back from the gate.
The Catastrophe Unfolds
Part 3/7:
Seconds after takeoff, things went horrifically wrong. At approximately 6,500 feet, the inboard engine on the right wing detached and collided with the outer engine, resulting in the loss of both engines on that side. The crew found themselves in the grip of a life-and-death struggle, desperately attempting to regain control while remaining unaware that their engines had literally fallen off.
With multiple warning systems malfunctioning and no visual indication of the engines’ loss, the flight crew experienced confusion and fear. Captain Fuks, drawing upon his extensive experience of over 25,000 flight hours, took the control from First Officer Ohad and fought to stabilize the aircraft’s flight path.
Fighting for Control
Part 4/7:
The aircraft, now reliant on two engines on the left side, began to yaw dangerously to the right. Despite Boeing's training manuals stating that the 747 could still fly with two engines from the same wing, the reality was far more complex. With hydraulic systems compromised from the engine detachment, control elements like ailerons and even landing gear began to fail as the crew fought against the increasing asymmetry of thrust.
Ground witnesses noted the ominous sound of failing engines and objects falling from the heavens, marking the unfolding disaster that the cockpit crew could not yet fully comprehend. With no significant means for making left-hand turns due to damages, the pilots faced an uphill challenge to navigate the aircraft back toward the runway.
Desperation and Tragedy
Part 5/7:
As they neared the airport, the crew acknowledged the severity of their situation, recognizing that their plane was too fast and too high for a safe landing. Despite being alerted by air traffic control about their impending approach, the crew was unable to align themselves correctly with the runway due to extreme difficulties with the flight controls.
Once closer to the airport, a rise in cabin pressure forced the pilots to adjust their speed without the necessary lift provided by the flaps. All too soon, as their airspeed dwindled, the aircraft slipped into an aerodynamic stall, one of the most deadly scenarios for an aircraft in flight.
Part 6/7:
In a final desperate bid for safety, Captain Fuks tried to pull up and increase engine thrust, but the lacking aerodynamics rendered his efforts powerless. The inevitable occurred—the aircraft plummeted toward an apartment building in Amsterdam, crashing with horrific repercussions.
Consequences and Investigations
In the aftermath of the disaster, investigators sought to uncover how two engines could detach in flight. The ensuing investigation revealed critical insights into metal fatigue afflicting the aircraft's engine pylons, a problem that Boeing was already aware of after previous failures. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration had issued numerous directives addressing the pylon issues—yet, the necessary changes came too late for the victims of Flight 1862.
Part 7/7:
The tragic events of October 4, 1992, led Boeing to ultimately redesign the problematic components, introducing stainless steel parts to improve fatigue resistance and prevent future disasters.
Legacy of Safety Improvement
This disaster not only highlighted the vulnerabilities within aviation structures but also initiated a series of safety improvements that continue within the industry today. The memory of Flight 1862 resonates as a sobering reminder of the obligations owed to safety in air travel. While the improvements resulted from the tragedies faced that day, the loss of life remains a heart-wrenching chapter in aviation history, one that emphasizes the importance of learning from past mistakes to ensure a safer future.