Sponsored by
A Routine Flight
On April 28, 1988
Aloha Airlines Flight 243 departed from Hilo, Hawaii.
It was a short island hop.
Nothing unusual appeared during takeoff.
There were 89 passengers.
Six crew members.
Clear skies.
Calm weather.
Just minutes later
The aircraft experienced something almost unimaginable.
Today's sponsor: Klover.
Smarter financial tools designed to help you stay ahead.
Short on cash? Get up to $750, no credit check.
Is payday still a few days away, but the bills aren't waiting? We've all been there. That's why there's Klover — a cash advance of up to $750* from your upcoming paycheck, with no credit check and no late fees. Ever.
Cash in 3 Easy Steps
Sign up — Creating your Klover account takes just minutes.
Link your bank — Securely connect the account where your paycheck lands.
Get your cash — Access up to $750* within minutes for a small fee, or wait 3 days and get it for free.
No credit check. No late fees. No catch — just a little breathing room until payday.
*Not all users will qualify. Advances range from $25–$750; average advance is $170. Express transfer fees may apply.
An Explosion at 24,000 Feet
Without warning
A deafening blast echoed through the cabin.
A large section of the aircraft's upper fuselage tore away.
Rows of seats were suddenly exposed to the open sky.
Passengers felt hurricane-force winds.
Oxygen masks dropped instantly.
Loose objects disappeared into the air.
The aircraft had suffered an explosive decompression.
Yet it remained airborne.
Fighting to Stay in the Air
Captain Robert Schornstheimer and First Officer Madeline Tompkins immediately began an emergency descent.
Communication was difficult.
The roaring wind made conversation nearly impossible.
Several flight instruments had failed.
The crew relied on training.
Experience.
And calm decision-making.
Every second mattered.
A Landing Against the Odds
After approximately 13 minutes
The damaged aircraft reached Kahului Airport on Maui.
Despite losing a large section of its roof
The pilots landed safely.
Of the 95 people on board
94 survived.
One flight attendant, Clarabelle Lansing, tragically lost her life during the decompression.
The survival of nearly everyone else remains one of aviation's most extraordinary achievements.
The Investigation
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board discovered that years of repeated takeoffs and landings had caused metal fatigue.
Tiny cracks had slowly formed in the aircraft's skin.
Individually
They seemed insignificant.
Together
They led to catastrophic structural failure.
The findings changed how aging aircraft are inspected worldwide.
A Lasting Legacy
The accident transformed aviation maintenance.
Airlines introduced more rigorous structural inspections.
Engineers developed improved techniques for detecting hidden fatigue cracks.
Regulators strengthened safety requirements for older aircraft.
Lessons learned from one flight helped make commercial aviation even safer.
Why This Story Matters
History often celebrates technological breakthroughs.
But sometimes
The greatest achievements come from preparation.
The crew of Flight 243 showed that exceptional training
Teamwork
And composure can turn a disaster into a story of survival.
Their actions continue to be studied by pilots around the world.
About Know Your History
Know Your History explores extraordinary true stories from history, aviation, engineering, science, and remarkable events that changed the world.
Every edition uncovers fascinating stories that prove reality is often stranger than fiction.
New stories every week.