Tupolev TU-144 Crash at the 1974 Paris Air Show (CCCP-77102)

A Tupolev TU-144 disintegrated during a demonstration at the 1974 Paris Air Show after a structural failure, killing 14 people and injuring 28 others.

Probable cause

The final report concluded that no anomaly was found in the construction or operation of the aircraft, making human intervention the most probable cause. Investigations revealed that a French Air Force Mirage III fighter, tasked with taking aerial photos, was positioned about 200 meters above and slightly ahead of the Tupolev. The presence of the fighter likely distracted the Tupolev crew, who perceived the separation distance as insufficient. When the Mirage turned left, it appeared larger to the Tupolev crew, prompting the pilot-in-command to execute a maneuver to avoid a collision. This maneuver resulted in a negative aerodynamic force of one g. The Tupolev TU-144 was designed to support positive forces of five to seven g but only a negative force of one g. Reaching this limit caused a structural failure on the left wing, leading to the aircraft rolling onto its back, breaking in two, and exploding. It was later confirmed that a collision was impossible given the actual positions of the aircraft.