The '' New York Times '' reported that the incidence of deaths in commercial aviation accidents had risen sharply in 1971 , up from 146 deaths in 1970 and 158 deaths in 1969 . Additionally , these deaths had occurred at a time when airlines were cutting back flights due to the economic recession , and airlines had flown about 6 % fewer hours in 1971 than 1970 . The eight fatal accidents of 1971 included three mid-air collisions and four landing approach crashes ; one of these collisions , All Nippon Airways Flight 58 , which also involved a military aircraft , became the deadliest air disaster worldwide at the time it took place with 162 deaths . Additionally , 1971 saw the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 , at the time the worst single plane crash in US civil aviation history
Alaska Airlines Flight 1866
Alaska Airlines Flight 1866
Hughes Airwest Flight 706