Incident
On July 2, 1994, USAir Flight 1016, a regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight from Columbia, South Carolina, to Charlotte, North Carolina, crashed while attempting to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31, encountered heavy thunderstorms and microburst-induced windshear during its approach. It struck heavy trees and a private residence near the airport, resulting in a post-crash fire.
Aircraft and Flight
The flight was operated by USAir (now US Airways) and was a routine service between Columbia and Charlotte. The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31, a twin-engine jetliner. The flight was on a standard landing approach when it encountered severe weather conditions.
Accident Details
While on approach, the aircraft flew into a thunderstorm cell that contained a microburst—a powerful downdraft that produces rapid changes in wind direction and speed. This microburst-induced windshear caused a loss of control, and the aircraft descended into a heavily wooded area, colliding with trees and a house. The impact was followed by a fire that engulfed the wreckage.
Casualties
The crash and subsequent fire resulted in 37 fatalities among the passengers and crew. An additional 20 individuals sustained serious injuries. The exact number of occupants on board was not specified in the source material.