There are certain accidents in the history of aviation that deserve pages in our shared memory as a reminder of the frailties and complexities of flight. One of those horrific accidents was on October 31, 1999, when EgyptAir Flight 990 crashed into the open Atlantic ocean. The New York City-bound Cairo flight had 217 passengers aboard, all of whom were killed in the crash.
A Mysterious Crash:
As the plane departed from the hustle and bustle of New York for the historic city of Cairo, destiny took a peculiar turn. Devastatingly and unexpectedly, EgyptAir Flight 990 plummeted into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The hopeful flight was brutally cut short with everyone from the 203 passengers and 14 crew members losing their lives on board.Contradictory Versions
The crash left a dark controversy surrounding the origin of this disaster. One part of the argument had the Egyptian government arguing that the crash had been caused by a mechanical malfunction with the elevators, significant factors which control the pitch and fall of an aircraft. The American government had a contrary argument, a much darker scenario: Relief First Officer Gameel Al-Batouti intentionally crashed the plane.Divergent Accounts
Both competing theories of EgyptAir Flight 990 cast a dark shadow of suspicion on what actually led to the disaster. The Egyptian government's accusation of mechanical failure is an issue of airworthiness and maintenance of the plane, and the requirement for stringent safety protocols. The US government accusations that intent actions led to the plane crash have the effect of raising even more sinister and ominous questions about what possible motive there would be for such a criminal act.A Search for Answers:
The world wept for explanation and solution of this sad event. The searches were conducted in desperation, perhaps in expectation of finding the explanation for the waves. But in trying for ultimate explanation there is an ongoing search, for the various speculations still remain to leave ultimate explanation beyond reach.A Broken Legacy:
This is EgyptAir Flight 990's history aside from the devastatin' crash itself. There were more than passenger numbers—they were loved family members, friends, and coworkers whose loss left an emptiness in the hearts of those who cared for them. Their memories are a touching reminder of the human cost that plane crashes have on each of us.Remembering the Victims
Years passed, but EgyptAir Flight 990's memory remained, etched in the pages of aviation history. All the victims are remembered to remind people how fragile life is and how there is a demand for unflinching commitment to aviation safety.In pursuit of truth and closure, the story of EgyptAir Flight 990 is a painful reminder that the forces of aviation are more powerful than the technical and the mechanical. They reach into the domain of human choice and action, into the fine balance between man and machine. As we remember with respect those who died in this ghastly crash, let their memory guide us to a safer future where aviation safety will be eternally on the agenda, so that such tragic stories are avoided from being enacted out in the future years.