AVIATION: The Plague

If the modern world’s pride is fast, close connection by commercial airlines, the modern world’s shame last week was a plague of air crashes that killed 92 people, brought the U.S.’s own commercial airlines’ death toll to 84 in first three weeks, the world airlines’ total to 163. The week’s worst:

¶ Approaching Norfolk, a Capital Airlines Viscount crashed almost vertically into a stream near Williamsburg, Va. Dead on impact: 50.

¶ Making a routine night approach to Esenboga International Airport at Ankara, Turkey, a French-built Scandinavian Airlines System Caravelle jet crashed into a hillside within sight of the airport. Dead: 42.

¶ Boring into Miami International Airport in broad daylight en route from New York International Airport to Bogota, Colombia, an Avianca Super Constellation had trouble with its No. 3 engine, went back to the line for repairs. Finally, in the air ten hours behind schedule, the Constellation touched down at fashionable Montego Bay, Jamaica at 2:35 a.m., skidded off the runway when its left landing gear collapsed, flipped over and burst into flames. Dead: 37, burned alive hanging upside down in their seat belts or struggling to get out. Safe: four crewmen who scrambled out of the pilots’ compartment, four passengers and a stewardess who made it out of the tail.