Paya Lebar AFB

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.

The crew was engaged in a positioning flight to the Paya Lebar AFB in Singapore where 50 employees of an Oil Company should be picked up on a flight to the Middle East. During the takeoff roll, the captain decided to abandon the procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and lost its nose gear before coming to rest 100 metres further. All nine occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The flight from Kuala Lumpur was uneventful until the airplane approached Singapore. Visibility was good as the co-pilot started the approach to runway 02. The flare was initiated a little late and the airplane touched down firmly. The Comet bounced and floated a few feet over the runway. During the bounce the starboard wheel bogie and part of the landing gear leg dropped off. The crew tried to hold the wing off the ground after the aircraft settled back onto the runway. Finally the wing contacted the runway. The engines were shut down and left wheel brakes applied before the aircraft came to rest. At the time of the accident, the gears totalized 4,500 landings and was certified for 8,000.