Kenner, Louisiana—July 9, 2026: Today marks the 44th anniversary of the tragic crash of Pan Am Flight 759 at Louis Armstrong International Airport.
On July 9, 1982, the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff due to microburst-induced wind shear, resulting in the deaths of 154 passengers and crew members. Many others sustained injuries in the incident.
Following the disaster, significant advancements in aviation safety were implemented, including the use of Doppler radar at airports to better detect wind shear and microbursts.