Plane Crashes That Changed the Skies Forever

Midflight over Iowa, a catastrophic engine failure destroyed all three hydraulic systems on the DC-10, leaving the plane nearly uncontrollable. The crew, joined by an off-duty pilot, managed to steer using only engine thrust. The aircraft crash-landed in Sioux City, breaking apart and killing 111 of the 296 people onboard.

Despite the deaths, the crew’s extraordinary efforts saved many lives. The crash was widely studied for its rare mechanical failure and for the heroism of the pilots and crew. United 232 became a case study in aviation training, proving that teamwork and improvisation could mean the difference between life and death.