New York’s Darkest Days in the Sky Top 5 Plane Crashes

New York’s skies are some of the busiest in the world — and they’ve also seen some of the darkest moments in aviation history. In this video, we count down the Top 5 deadliest plane crashes in New York, from the early jet age to the modern era — and explain how each tragedy reshaped aviation safety forever. This is Part 1 of a brand-new series, “New York’s Darkest Days in the Sky.” These stories are intense, heartbreaking, and unforgettable — but they also explain why flying today is safer than ever. We start with the 1960 New York mid-air collision, a disaster so shocking it forced the U.S. government to completely rebuild the air traffic control system. Two airliners collide over the city, wreckage falls into Brooklyn, and the jet age changes overnight. Then we move to USAir Flight 405, where winter weather and hidden wing ice caused a deadly crash into Flushing Bay — leading to strict de-icing rules every cold-weather airport follows today. Next is Avianca Flight 52, a tragic case of miscommunication over JFK airspace. Fuel runs out, engines flame out, and one missing word — “emergency” — ends up changing how pilots and controllers communicate worldwide. We also cover American Airlines Flight 587, the second-deadliest crash on U.S. soil, just two months after 9/11. A routine takeoff turns fatal, forcing airlines to completely rethink pilot training and wake turbulence response. And finally, Colgan Air Flight 3407, the regional airline crash that exposed pilot fatigue, low experience, and weak training — and led directly to the strict pilot-hour and rest rules that protect passengers today. These five crashes cost hundreds of lives — but every one of them made the skies safer for millions. If you’re into aviation history, real plane crash documentaries, and stories that explain why safety rules exist, this series is for you. 👍 Hit LIKE if this deep dive surprised you 💬 Comment which crash shocked you the most 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 2 Fly safe — and thanks for watching.