A tragic incident on Aloha Airlines Flight 243 from Hilo to Honolulu in Hawaii in 1988 resulted in the death of flight attendant Clarabelle Lansing. The Boeing 737-297 aircraft suffered severe mid-flight damage due to a fuselage break caused by suspected poor maintenance and metal fatigue, leading to explosive decompression. Lansing, with 37 years of experience, was tragically ejected from the aircraft during the incident. While Lansing was the sole fatality, eight others were seriously injured, and 57 passengers sustained injuries. The aircraft, 19 years old at the time, was irreparable after the accident and was dismantled.
The investigation revealed that metal fatigue worsened by crevice corrosion caused the accident. A passenger mentioned seeing a crack in the fuselage before boarding but did not report it. The dramatic events of that day have been portrayed in various media, notably the film Miracle Landing. In 1995, Honolulu International Airport honored Lansing by dedicating a garden in her memory within terminal one, providing a peaceful space for reflection.