Swissair Flight 111 facts for kids
Swissair Flight 111 was a regular flight from New York City to Geneva, Switzerland. On September 2, 1998, the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was carrying 215 passengers and 14 crew members. During the flight, a fire started in the cockpit. The plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia, Canada. Sadly, all 229 people on board died. This was one of the worst plane accidents in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area.
Contents
What Happened During the Flight?
The Flight Begins
Swissair Flight 111 took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Its destination was Geneva, Switzerland. The flight was going smoothly for a while.
Trouble in the Cockpit
About an hour after leaving New York, the pilots smelled smoke in the cockpit. They quickly realized there was a fire. The crew tried to find the source of the smoke. They also prepared to land the plane as soon as possible.
Emergency Landing Attempt
The pilots decided to divert the plane to Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia. They told air traffic control about the fire. The airport prepared for an emergency landing. However, the fire spread quickly. It caused many of the plane's systems to fail.
The Crash
The pilots lost control of the aircraft because of the fire. The plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. This happened about 8 kilometers (5 miles) off the coast of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. The crash was very powerful. All 229 people on board died instantly.
After the Crash: The Investigation
Finding Out What Happened
After the accident, a big investigation started. Teams worked to find out why the fire started. They also wanted to know why it spread so fast. Investigators looked for parts of the plane in the ocean. They gathered over two million pieces of debris.
The Cause of the Fire
Investigators found that the fire started because of faulty wiring. This wiring was part of the plane's entertainment system. The fire spread quickly because of flammable materials in the plane. These materials included insulation and other parts.
Lessons Learned
The investigation took a long time. It helped experts understand how to make planes safer. New rules were put in place for aircraft wiring. Airlines also had to use less flammable materials inside planes. This accident led to important changes in aviation safety around the world.
Remembering Those Lost
Memorials in Nova Scotia
Two special memorials were built in Nova Scotia. One is near Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. The other is in Bayswater, Nova Scotia. These places honor the people who died in the crash. They are peaceful spots where visitors can reflect.
A Community's Support
The people of Nova Scotia helped a lot after the crash. They offered support to the families of the victims. Many local fishermen and rescue workers helped with the recovery efforts. This showed great kindness and community spirit.
Images for kids
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Approximate location of the crash
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Swissair Flight 111 crashed 8 km (5 miles) off the coast of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Pictured is the community's iconic Peggys Point Lighthouse in 2005, with St. Margarets Bay seen below the lighthouse on the right.
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Cargo door and other recovered debris
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Bayswater, Nova Scotia memorial
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Memorial, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
See also
In Spanish: Vuelo 111 de Swissair para niños
