Flash Airlines Flight 604 facts for kids
Flash Airlines Flight 604 was a Boeing 737-300 airplane. On January 3, 2004, this flight was heading from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to Paris, France, with a planned stop in Cairo. Sadly, just moments after taking off from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, the plane crashed into the Red Sea. All 135 passengers and 13 crew members on board died in the accident.
This crash was the deadliest air disaster in Egypt's history for a while. Later, the bombing of Kogalymavia Flight 9268 caused more deaths. The crash of Flight 604 is also the worst accident involving a Boeing 737-300 plane. The exact reason for the crash is still debated. One idea is that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation, which means they became confused about their position or movement.
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About Flash Airlines Flight 604
Flash Airlines Flight 604 was a regular passenger flight. It was operated by Flash Airlines, an Egyptian charter airline. The plane was a Boeing 737-300, a common type of aircraft. It was designed to carry many passengers over medium distances.
The Day of the Crash
On January 3, 2004, the plane took off from Sharm El Sheikh. This city is a popular tourist spot in Egypt. The flight was scheduled to fly to Paris, France. Many of the passengers were French tourists returning home.
What Happened After Take-off
The plane took off from the airport just after 4:00 AM local time. Soon after leaving the ground, the aircraft started to behave unusually. It turned sharply to the right. Then, it quickly lost altitude and crashed into the Red Sea. The crash happened very close to the airport.
Who Was On Board
There were 148 people on the plane. This included 135 passengers and 13 crew members. Most of the passengers were from France. The crew members were mainly from Egypt. There were also a few passengers from other countries.
| Passenger and crew countries of origin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Passengers | Crew | Total |
 Canada |
0 | 1 | 1 |
 Egypt |
0 | 12 | 12 |
 Japan |
1 | 0 | 1 |
 France |
132 | 0 | 132 |
 United States |
1 | 0 | 1 |
 Morocco |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 135 | 13 | 148 |
Investigating the Crash
After the crash, investigators worked to find out why it happened. They looked at the plane's flight recorders. These are like black boxes that record data and sounds from the cockpit. The investigation involved experts from Egypt, France, and the United States.
Possible Causes
The main reason for the crash is still debated. Egyptian investigators suggested that the pilot might have suffered from spatial disorientation. This means the pilot could have become confused about the plane's position in the air. This confusion might have led to incorrect actions.
French investigators had a different view. They pointed to possible technical problems with the plane. They also suggested that the crew might not have been trained well enough. However, no clear technical fault was ever proven.
Disputed Findings
Because of the different ideas, the exact cause of the crash remains officially disputed. This means that different countries involved in the investigation did not fully agree on one single reason. This can happen in complex accident investigations.
Aftermath of the Crash
The crash of Flash Airlines Flight 604 was a very sad event. It led to changes in how some airlines operate. It also highlighted the importance of pilot training and safety checks. The accident is a reminder of the challenges in air travel safety.
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