BOAC Flight 781

Introduction
BOAC Flight 781 was a passenger flight from Singapore to London with 6 stopovers. The plane exploded mid-air due to a mechanical fault.

The Aircraft
The de Havilland Comet was a revolutionary aircraft. First introduced by the British, the aircraft was sleeker and more efficient than any other. So sleek that upon first glance this plane would look futuristic even in this day and age. What made it so special was its jet engines, which had never been strapped to an aircraft before. And by strapped, I mean hidden within the wings. The jet engines allowed the aircraft to reach much higher altitudes and travel faster than any other plane in the sky. This was the plane that started the jet era.

But just like any other plane that looked amazing, was revolutionary (and for some reason British), it had to come to an end. The plane was retired in 1997, 45 years after its launch in 1952. This accident wasn't the main cause for it's retirement, but was one of the reasons why it happened.

The Crash
The Comet flies as normal, reaching an altitude of 11,000m. To sustain air in the cabin, the plane must be pressurised. This allows passengers to breathe normally, and is another innovation of the Comet. However, the windows on the Comet may pose a threat to this method, as the bolts holding them in are punched in, which can create cracks. In this case, there were cracks around the windows. And these cracks can only take so much pressure, so after some time, bang. A window rips off, leading to an explosive decompression. The aircraft begins to tear itself apart rapidly, and all of the people on-board are sent crashing down into the ocean.

A crash animation can be seen here: https://youtu.be/QddPBdpA-uM

May all those who died rest in peace.