Region
Asia

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Khamis Mushayt: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AAM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Najran - Jeddah
Location:
Khamis Mushayt
ʿAsīr (عسير‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
While en route from Najran to Jeddah, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a desert area located near Khamis Mushait. A passenger was seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Jeddah: 18 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AAJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madinah - Jeddah
MSN:
15235/26680
YOM:
1944
Location:
Jeddah
Makkah l-Mukarramah (مكة المكرمة)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
On final approach to Jeddah-King Abdulazziz Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few km short of runway. All 18 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK near Ha'il

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Hunting Surveys
Registration:
G-AMYW
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Ha'il - Ha'il
MSN:
16272/33020
YOM:
1945
Location:
Ha'il
Ha'il (حائل‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The C-47 was flying a survey line at 400 feet AGL when there seemed to be an oil leak in the no. 2 engine. The prop was feathered and power on the no. 1 engine was increased. The no. 1 prop ran away, causing drag on the engine. Attempts to unfeather the no. 2 engine again failed and the aircraft struck the ground.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
The right engine appear to have been feathered unnecessarily and in too much of a hurry, having regard that the aircraft was only 400 feet above the ground. On increasing power on the left engine, the propeller became uncontrollable due to the failure of the propeller governor or the deficient screen in the oil strainer. It therefore, was necessary to feather it leaving the aircraft without any power causing an immediate forced landing.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK off Jeddah: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AAN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Jeddah - Jeddah
MSN:
12899
YOM:
1944
Location:
Jeddah
Makkah l-Mukarramah (مكة المكرمة)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight out from Jeddah when control was lost and the airplane crashed into the Red Sea about 100 km south of Jeddah. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III off Dhahran: 49 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1964 at 2232 LT
Type of aircraft:
Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle
Operator:
Registration:
OD-AEM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Beirut – Dhahran
MSN:
23
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
ME444
Location:
Dhahran
ash-Sharqīyah (الشرقية‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
49
Captain / Total flying hours:
9193
Captain / Total hours on type:
3425.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7691
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1680
Circumstances:
Flight ME 444 departed Beirut (BEY) at 17:09 UTC and climbed to its cruising altitude of FL300. At 19:04 the aircraft reported to Bahrain Control that it was estimating Dhahran (DHA) at 19:28, and was cleared to descend to reach FL50 over the Dhahran beacon. At 19:06 weather information was reported to flight 444, which read a NNE/10 knots wind, gusting to 16, and 0,5nm visibility (in a sandstorm). At 19:26 the pilot reported estimating the Dhahran NDB in two minutes. At 19:28 it contacted Dhahran and reported "5 000 feet descending" and was cleared for an ADF approach. The controller requested the crew to report at 4000 feet and outbound at 2000 feet. One minute later it reported leaving 4000 feet and at 19:30 passing 2500 feet and turning inbound. It was then cleared to final approach and requested to report reaching minimum and runway in sight. At approximately 19:32 a short loud transmission noise was recorded by the Tower. No further message was received from the flight. It was subsequently found that the aircraft struck the sea at the completion of the procedure turn 4 NM off shore and 10 NM south of Dhahran Airport. The investigation team concluded that there was no mechanical failure that could have caused the accident. Several theories were investigated, a.o. erroneous radio altimeter indications as a result of the sandstorm (these effects have been proven in tests done by Air France), but the team was not able to prove any of those theories.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident can not be ascertained.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-5-DO Skymaster in Jeddah

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1959 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AAF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jeddah – Riyadh
MSN:
7474
YOM:
1944
Location:
Jeddah
Makkah l-Mukarramah (مكة المكرمة)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
67
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The Saudia DC-4 plane took off from Jeddah for a flight to Riyadh. Immediately following lift-off, the aircraft climbed at an abnormal high rate. The flight crew were not able to push the control column forward, so full forward trim and a power reduction were used to avert a stall. The aircraft stalled however and descended at almost a 90° angle. Power was reapplied and the controls were pulled back, effecting a recovery at a very low altitude. The DC-4 then began to climb again, approaching another stall. This time the stall was averted by reducing power and a left turn. A return to the runway was impossible so a forced belly landing was carried out near the airport. The airplane was damaged beyond repair while all 72 occupants were evacuated safely.
Probable cause:
The flight mechanic failed to place the gust lock in the fully secured position to unlock the controls prior to takeoff, and the spring holding the fairing on the tail skid was incorrectly attached to the elevator control lock mechanism. The spring tension caused the elevator gust lock to lock the elevator from down travel when the gust lock was not in the fully secured control unlock position. A contributing factor was that neither the captain nor the flight mechanic checked visually or manually to see that the gust lock was in the secured position to unlock the control prior to takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 685 York I in Dhahran

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Avro 685 York
Operator:
Registration:
OD-ACJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Beirut – Dhahran
MSN:
1306
YOM:
1946
Location:
Dhahran
ash-Sharqīyah (الشرقية‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft crash landed at Dhahran Airport. All five crew members were uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 21E in Guriat

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 170 Freighter
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AAB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12783
YOM:
1946
Location:
Guriat
Al Ǧauf (الجوف‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing, an undercarriage collapsed. The airplane skidded for several yards and came to a halt. There were no casualties but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 21E in Tarif

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 170 Freighter
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-AAC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12772
YOM:
1946
Location:
Tarif
Ha'il (حائل‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Tarif Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. There were no injuries but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation in Dhahran: 12 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1956 at 0004 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
54-0165
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charleston – Hamilton – Horta – Lisbon – Tripoli – Dhahran
MSN:
4184
YOM:
1954
Location:
Dhahran
ash-Sharqīyah (الشرقية‎)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
7297
Captain / Total hours on type:
282.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2191
Copilot / Total hours on type:
926
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was performing a flight from Charleston to Dhahran, carrying high ranking officers from the US, Pakistan and Iranian Army. The approach to Dhahran was completed by night and marginal weather conditions. Just past midnight, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed one km short of runway. Twelve occupants were killed while 26 others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. At the time of the accident, there were scattered clouds with limited visibility. Six minutes prior to the accident, the visibility was estimated to three km with a northwest wind at 5 knots.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, at the time of the accident, the Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) system was inoperative.
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