Tragic Incidents: When the U.S. Shot Down Commercial Planes

When discussing the history of aviation, one cannot overlook the painful reality that the United States has unfortunately been involved in incidents where commercial planes were shot down. These acts, though rare, have had significant geopolitical implications and have profoundly impacted international relations and public trust.

Notable Incidents

The most notable cases of U.S. involvement in shooting down commercial planes are:

Korean Air Flight 007 (1983)

On September 1, 1983, Korean Air Flight 007, a commercial flight from New York City to Seoul, strayed into Soviet airspace and was shot down by a Soviet fighter jet. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of all 269 passengers and crew members. This incident had significant geopolitical implications, serving as a stark reminder of the Cold War tensions and the dangers of miscommunication and misidentification in international airspace.

Iran Air Flight 655 (1988)

On July 3, 1988, during the Iran-Iraq War, the U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655. The plane was on a commercial flight from Tehran to Dubai, believed to be an attacking military aircraft. The true identity of the plane was not properly verified, and despite having access to reliable communication channels, the incorrect identification led to the tragic loss of all 290 passengers and crew members on board.

Controversial Circumstances

Both of these events highlight the tragic consequences of military engagements and the complexities involved in identifying aircraft in conflict zones. The incident involving Iran Air Flight 655, in particular, has garnered significant controversy and scrutiny.

According to reports, the U.S. Navy claimed that the cruiser misidentified the plane due to poor signal intelligence and the belief that they had no equipment to intercept communications, despite the fact that the plane was in contact with Saudi traffic controllers using English, the common and open channel used by all military radio stations. This claim has been widely criticized as a cover-up, given the advanced technologies and resources available to the U.S. military at the time.

The cruiser Vincennes, which carried out the missile strike, had better means of aircraft identification compared to the separatist forces in Eastern Ukraine, who shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014. The lack of accountability and transparency, coupled with the confusing nature of the cover story, have led many to question the true motives behind the attack.

Aftermath and Official Responses

Following the tragedy, the U.S. government issued notes of regret for the loss of human lives but never formally apologized or fully acknowledged the wrongdoing. The U.S. Navy awarded the crew of the USS Vincennes with air combat ribbons, and air coordination chief of the ship, W.C. Rogers III, received a Commendation medal after his tour of duty. Despite the loss of so many lives, no member of the Vincennes crew was reprimanded, regardless of whether the shooting down was an honest mistake or an act of stupidity.

These events underscore the challenges of operating in complex and often hostile environments, the importance of accurate identification protocols, and the moral and ethical implications of military actions involving civilian lives.