March 20 in aviation: the first flight of the Boeing 747-8 (747-8I), the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft reached the record of one million hours flown.
On March 20, 1937, pilot Amelia Earhart attempted to fly around the world. The test ended dramatically when the starboard tire of his plane, a Lockheed Electra aircraft, exploded during takeoff in Honolulu, Hawaii. Due to the damage, the expedition was temporarily abandoned. The first stage - from Oakland (California) to Honolulu (Hawaii) on March 17, was completed in 16 hours, setting an east / west record.
Other aviation events on March 20.
The first flight of the Boeing 747-8 (747-8I).
On March 20, 2011, the first flight of the aircraft took place Boeing 747-8 (747-8I).
Boeing 747 (Jumbo Jet) is a four-engine passenger plane, for long and very long-haul flights, of large and very large capacity produced by the American company Boeing. It is a widebody. For 35 years (1970-2005), Jumbo Jet held the record for the largest passenger aircraft in the world, a record broken by the Airbus A380 with its entry into commercial service.
American Airlines Flight 711 hit the ground during the landing.
On March 20, 1950, American Airlines Flight 711, a Convair CV-240, hit the ground during a landing in Springfield, Missouri, killing 13 of the 35 passengers on board the aircraft.
A United Arab Airlines flight crashed in Egypt.
On March 20, 1969, the Aswan Ilyushin Il-18 aircraft crashed, a United Arab Airlines flight that crashed while trying to land at Aswan International Airport in Egypt. 100 of the 105 passengers and crew were killed.
The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft reached a record one million flying hours.
On March 20, 2006, the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft reached a record one million hours flown during a military mission, evacuating wounded US troops from Iraq.
Emirates Flight 407 returned to Melbourne Airport immediately after take-off due to a tailstrike.
On 20 March 2009, Emirates Flight 407, an Airbus A340-500 aircraft flying from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Dubai International Airport, returned to Melbourne immediately after take-off due to a tailstrike. No passengers or crew members were injured.