Lauda Air Flight 004

Lauda Air Flight 004 was a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, to Vienna, Austria. On May 26, 1991, the thrust reverser on the number 1 engine of the plane deployed mid-air. This caused the plane to spiral out of control, break up and then crash. All 223 onboard died in the crash.

Background
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 767-300ER, powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4060 engines and delivered new to Lauda Air on 16 October 1989. The aircraft was registered as OE-LAV, named Mozart  and was the 283rd Boeing 767 built. At the time of the incident, the No.2 engine had been in service since assembly of the airframe and had accumulated 7,444 hours and 1,133 cycles, whereas the No.1 engine (with the faulty thrust reverser) had been in service since October 3, 1990 and had accumulated 2,904 hours and 456 cycles.

Break-up
The Lauda Air Boeing 767-300ER was cruising when the thrust reverser on engine 1 deployed. This caused it to enter a nose dive. Parts of the aircraft began to separate from overspeed, beginning with the left horizontal stabiliser, then the vertical stabiliser, before the plane fully split in two. The plane crashed into Phu Toei National Park, killing all 223 aboard. The reason for the thrust reverser deployment is debated, with some believing the cause was an aircraft malfunction, whilst others believe it was a case of pilot error.

Similar tail accidents
Asiana Airlines Flight 214 Lost its tail after it struck the seawall at San Francisco International Airport Boeing 777 3 killed

China Airlines Flight 611 a Boeing 747-200 Lost Its tail due to a Tailstrike years ago in 1986 all aboard killed

Japan Airlines Flight 123 another Boeing 747-200 lost its tail it was the deadly japan plane crash and deadly aviation accident in the world of the 520 killed out of 524

we remember the 223 who died.

Rest In Peace,