The history of aviation in the United States has been marked by devastating tragedies that have shaped modern air travel. The deadliest plane crashes in American history claimed hundreds of lives, shocked the nation, and led to significant changes in aircraft design, safety regulations, and emergency procedures.
While the majority occurred more than 20 years ago, a more recent tragedy reignited the push for safety reforms in the aviation industry. To learn about the deadliest airplane crashes in the country's history, click through the gallery.