Crash of a Boeing 707-331C in Tokyo

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1981 at 0019 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OD-AGT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tokyo - Bangkok
MSN:
19213/613
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
MV332
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
270.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2461
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2262
Aircraft flight hours:
37873
Aircraft flight cycles:
8346
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Tokyo-Narita Airport while on a cargo flight to Bangkok, the crew reported technical problems with the engine n°3 after the n°6 carbon seal was worn, causing a loss of lubrication. The crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing but weather conditions were marginal and the visibility was limited. Following an approach to runway 16, the airplane was too high and passed over the threshold at a height of 500 feet. The crew continued the descent and the aircraft landed 1,700 meters past the runway threshold and bounced. After reverse thrust was applied on engine n°1, 2 and 4, the airplane veered off runway and struck a manhole, causing the nose gear to collapse. The airplane came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members were uninjured. At the time of the accident, wind was from 210 to 350°, 11 knots gusting to 34 knots, visibility 2,200 meters, RVR 900 meters for runway 16 with heavy rain falls and fog.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Unfavorable weather conditions,
- Wrong runway selection according to wind component and weather,
- Wrong approach configuration,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around,
- The crew misunderstood ATC instructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-341C in Manaus

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VJT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19322
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on a wet runway at Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport, the four engine airplane deviated to the right, causing the right main gear to struck runway lights. Upon impact, the right main gear was torn off and the airplane came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the crew landed at an excessive speed of 148 knots on a wet runway due to heavy rain falls. It may be possible that the aircraft suffered aquaplaning after touchdown.

Crash of a Boeing 707-329 in Brussels

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1981 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OO-SJA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brussels - Tenerife
MSN:
17623/78
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
SLR1915
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
110
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
64462
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Brussels-Zavantem Airport runway 02 at 0929LT on a charter flight to Tenerife-Sur Reina Sofia with 110 passengers and a crew of seven on board. While climbing to an altitude of 7,000 feet, the engine n°3 exploded and caught fire. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return for a landing on runway 25L. After the fire was contained and while completing a last turn on final, the airplane was approaching too fast and overshot so the pilot decided to land on runway 25R. After touchdown, reversers on engine n°1 and 4 were activated and the crew initiated an emergency braking procedure. Nevertheless, the captain considered the remaining distance as insufficient and decided to steer the aircraft to the left of the runway where it came to rest. All 117 occupants were quickly rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the explosion of the engine n°3 was the consequence of the disintegration of a blade located on the 10th stage of the compressor due to fatigue cracks. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Approach completed with one engine inoperative,
- The total weight of the aircraft was above the max allowable weight upon landing,
- The approach speed was too high,
- The crew failed to use the brakes properly.

Crash of a Boeing 707-321F in Bogotá

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2410
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Bogotá
MSN:
17605/98
YOM:
1960
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 12, the airplane entered a zone of heavy rain falls and dense fog. The pilot-in-command probably lost visual contact with the runway and its lighting system, causing the aircraft to descend until it struck the ground. Upon impact, the airplane lost its undercarriage and came to rest, broken in several pieces and bursting into flames. All four crew members were injured.

Crash of a Boeing 707-131B in San Francisco

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N797TW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Louis - San Francisco
MSN:
18760
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
126
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
49910
Circumstances:
While descending to San Francisco Airport, the nose gear could not be lowered and remained stuck in its wheel well. Following a normal approach, the airplane landed on its main undercarriage then slid on its nose for few hundred yards before coming to rest. All 133 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 707-329C in Douala

Date & Time: May 11, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
OO-SJH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris - Douala
MSN:
18890/416
YOM:
1965
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful cargo flight from Paris-Orly Airport, the crew started the descent to Douala Airport in marginal weather conditions. On short final, the airplane encountered low level windshear. Control was lost and the aircraft banked left, causing the left wing to struck the runway surface. Upon impact, the left main gear was torn off as well as both engines n°1 and 2. The aircraft veered off runway to the left, made a 270° turn then came to rest. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, the left wing being partially torn off.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on short final due to windshear.

Crash of a Boeing 707-373C in Singapore

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
S2-ABQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Singapore - Dhaka
MSN:
19441/548
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
71
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Singapore-Paya Lebar Airport, the crew retracted the landing gear and continued to climb. At a height of about 100 feet, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff and landed back on the runway. The airplane landed on its belly and slid for about 2,000 feet then veered to the right and came to rest. All 78 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It is believed that all four engines lost power during initial climb for unknown reasons. The exact cause of the accident remains undetermined. The Authorities of Singapore reported that the flight engineer committed suicide a day later, jumping out the window from his hotel.

Crash of a Boeing 707-309C in Manila: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1980 at 1345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
B-1826
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Taipei - Manila
MSN:
20262/830
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
CI811
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
124
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Manila Intl Airport, the airplane was too low and struck the ground about 50 meters short of runway threshold. Upon impact, two engines were torn off and out of control, the aircraft crash landed and came to rest in flames. 82 occupants escaped uninjured while 51 others were injured. Two passengers were killed. The aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who failed to follow the approach checklist. A lack of crew coordination led the aircraft descending below the glide.

Crash of a Boeing 707-363C in Jeddah

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-ACE
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
18582/344
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft sustained substantial damages and was later withdrawn from use following a heavy landing at Jeddah Airport. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Boeing 707-340C near At Ta'if: 156 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1979 at 0204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AP-AWZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kano - Jeddah - Karachi
MSN:
20275/844
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
PK740
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
145
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
156
Aircraft flight hours:
30710
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a schedule service from Kano to Karachi with an intermediate stop at Jeddah, carrying 145 passengers and a crew of 11. It departed Jeddah-King Abdulaziz Airport at 0129LT and continued to climb by night and good weather conditions. While cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet, the captain informed ATC about an in-flight fire and was cleared to descent to 30,000 feet then 4,000 feet at his discretion. Seventeen minutes later, the situation on board became very critical with heavy smoke spreading in the cabin and the crew declared an emergency. While attempting an emergency landing in a desert area, the airplane struck the ground and disintegrated on impact. The wreckage was found about 48 km north of At Ta'if, in a rocky area. None of the 156 occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
An in-flight fire in the cabin area which, through its intensity and rapid extension, resulted in panic among the passengers and smoke in the cockpit, eventually incapacitating the flight crew. The cause of the cabin fire was not determined. It was considered that the origin of the cabin fire could have been a leaking gasoline or kerosene stove, carried aboard by Haj pilgrim passengers. Pressure differential could have caused a poorly sealed gasket to leak fuel. A second possibility is an electrical fire, but the rapid extension of the fire was considered difficult to explain because of the electrical circuit protection devices of the Boeing 707. Sabotage was considered as another possibility, but no evidence of use of an incendiary device was found.