World History

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,290 posts) Sat Jan 10, 2026, 06:53 PM Saturday

On this day, January 10, 1954, BOAC Flight 781, a de Havilland Comet, exploded and fell into the Tyrrhenian Sea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_10

• 1954 – BOAC Flight 781, a de Havilland DH.106 Comet 1, explodes and falls into the Tyrrhenian Sea, killing 35 people.

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On this day, January 10, 1954, BOAC Flight 781, a de Havilland Comet, exploded and fell into the Tyrrhenian Sea. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Saturday OP

To briefly clarify, the Comet 1 is the type/name of the aircraft...I thought initially that a comet hit the plane SWBTATTReg Saturday #1

The Comet 1 has a big design flaw sdfernando Saturday #2

I have a long post for this, which I can't find now, but I think the crack originated mahatmakanejeeves Saturday #3

SWBTATTReg

(26,059 posts)

1. To briefly clarify, the Comet 1 is the type/name of the aircraft...I thought initially that a comet hit the plane

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:10 PM

Saturday

at first, then I realized it was the plane's type/name. In any event, still sad that 35 lost their lives.

sdfernando

(6,024 posts)

2. The Comet 1 has a big design flaw

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 07:41 PM

Saturday

The rather square windows created weak stress and fracture points. Now all airline windows are round or oval to avoid this.problem.

mahatmakanejeeves

(68,290 posts)

3. I have a long post for this, which I can't find now, but I think the crack originated

Reply to sdfernando (Reply #2)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 08:08 PM

Saturday

at the opening for the automatic direction finder antenna at the top of the fuselage.

The recovered (shaded) parts of the wreckage of G-ALYP and the site (arrowed) of the failure

Dr Havilland wasn't taking any chances with the windows either, and those openings were rounded off too.

And good evening.

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