Iranian Hostage Crisis – Rescue Disaster

April 24, 1980

An attempt to rescue the hostages of the Iranian hostage crisis ends in disaster when a helicopter crashes into a transport plane killing eight Americans and wounding five others. The secret rescue mission, codenamed “Eagle Claw”, had already been aborted due to equipment failures from severe dust storms. The helicopters were repositioning themselves for refueling when the crash occurred. The embassy had been taken over by Iranian students who believed the U.S. was attempting to undermine the Iranian Revolution. They also opposed U.S. support of the Shah of Iran who, after being overthrown, went to the U.S. for cancer treatment. They wanted him returned to stand trial for crimes against the Iranian people.