Portal:Aviation/Historical anniversaries/December in aviation/December 25

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December 25

• 2003 - United Transit 141 crashes in Benin, spreading rumors that it is the Boeing 727 that disappeared earlier during the year.

• 1981 - USAF lieutenant Thomas Tiller is rescued from the Atlantic Ocean by a boat after his plane, a F-4 Phantom had an accident seven days before.

• 1979 - Antonov An-12s and An-22s airlift the first Soviet troops into Afghanistan. 5,000 arrive in the first 24 hours.

• 1914 - HMS Empress, HMS Engadine and HMS Riviera launch a seaplane attack on the Zeppelin sheds at Cuxhaven. Fog prevents the aircraft from reaching their target, and only three of the nine aircraft find their way back to their mother ships.