43 years ago today, July 8, 1982 (May 18, 1982, lunar calendar), an American plane crashed in New Orleans, killing 149 people. Tires-The only intact wreckage at the accident site On July 8, 1982, a Pan Am World passenger flight crashed in a residential area near New Orleans. All 145 people on the plane died, and at least four people on the ground died. The Boeing 747 took off from New Orleans International Airport at 4:11 p.m. Shortly after taking off, it fell in a nearby suburb, destroying a residential area and setting many houses on fire. All rescue workers immediately rushed to the scene of the accident guarded by police with equipment. Witnesses said thunderstorms were falling in the area and a bolt of lightning hit the civilian aircraft, causing it to crash.