June 20

In 1956, a Venezuelan-registered Lockheed Super Constellation was on a transatlantic flight from Venezuela to New York. On June 20, during its approach to the New Jersey coast, the aircraft encountered technical difficulties and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Asbury Park. All 74 passengers and crew lost their lives, marking one of the deadliest East Coast crashes of the era. Investigators examined possible causes, including mechanical failure and pilot error amid challenging weather. The tragedy prompted calls for enhanced safety protocols in long-range commercial aviation. It highlighted the risks of early transatlantic flights and led to stricter maintenance and navigation standards. Families of victims and aviation authorities mourned a devastating loss that remains a somber chapter in aviation history.

In 1959, meteorologists tracked an unusual hurricane forming in early June over the Atlantic. On June 20, it made landfall along the Gulf of St. Lawrence, eastern Canada, an area unaccustomed to hurricanes at that time. Powerful winds and a storm surge devastated coastal communities, destroying homes, boats, and infrastructure. Thirty-five lives were lost, and dozens were injured as emergency responders faced challenging conditions. The event challenged assumptions about the bounds of the North American hurricane season. In its aftermath, Canadian weather services enhanced early warning systems and coastal defenses. The rare storm remains a subject of study for climatologists and historians.

A Curtiss C-46 Commando operating a passenger and cargo service departed Taipei for a routine flight on June 20, 1964. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft encountered engine trouble and severe weather near the Shengang District. Witnesses reported the plane spiraling before it crashed into flat terrain. All 57 occupants, including crew and passengers, perished in the impact. Rescue teams faced challenges reaching the remote site amid poor visibility. Taiwanese and US aviation authorities launched a thorough investigation. The accident led to revised engine maintenance protocols and improved weather monitoring.

Aeroméxico Flight 229, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, departed Mexico City for Puerto Vallarta on June 20, 1973. During its final approach to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and low visibility. The plane descended below the safe glide path and struck terrain short of the runway. All 27 passengers and crew perished in the crash. Investigators attributed the accident to controlled flight into terrain amid adverse weather. The tragedy led to reviews of approach procedures and enhanced pilot training for challenging coastal and mountainous airports. It remains one of Mexico’s deadliest commercial aviation accidents.

Striking on June 20, 1990, the Manjil–Rudbar earthquake ruptured fault lines in Iran’s Alborz mountains near the cities of Manjil and Rudbar. With a magnitude of 7.4 and a Mercalli intensity of X, the quake flattened towns and villages, leaving between 35,000 and 50,000 people dead and up to 105,000 injured. Aftershocks hampered rescue efforts, and icy weather compounded the suffering of survivors. Iranian relief agencies and international teams mobilized to provide shelter, medical care, and rebuilding assistance. The disaster highlighted seismic risks in the region, triggering updates to building codes and disaster-preparedness protocols across Iran.

RusAir Flight 9605 was a domestic passenger flight destined for Petrozavodsk Airport in northwest Russia. On June 20, 2011, the aircraft encountered poor weather and visibility during its final approach. It crashed into a forested area near the village of Besovets, killing 47 of the 52 people on board. Investigators pointed to pilot error and deficiencies in wind shear warning systems as key factors. The tragedy prompted Russian aviation authorities to enhance approach procedures and crew training. Memorials were held for the victims, and safety measures were updated to prevent similar accidents.