The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 is a reminder of the ultimate price that is sometimes paid for air travel.
On a number of occasions, these tragedies have come closer to home. One of those was the loss of Tajikistan Airlines Flight 3183 on December 15, 1997.
The Russian-built Tupolev Tu-154B-1 was on approach to Sharjah International Airport after a routine flight from Dushanbe when it slammed into the desert.
Out of a crew of seven and 79 passengers, only the aircraft’s navigator survived, although he later died in hospital. This photo shows recovery efforts.
An investigation later found the pilot had failed to notice he was flying too low.
The crash was the third-worst in UAE aviation history and the deadliest of that year.
* James Langton
