Yemen

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Schedule:

Najran – Sanaa – Ta’izz – Aden

MSN:

174

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a flight from Najran to Aden with intermediate stops in Sana'a and Ta'izz. On approach to Sana'a Airport, the crew encountered technical problems and the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing on a road located few km from the airport. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Unknown technical problems on final approach, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Ta'izz: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1969 at 0730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

4W-AAS

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ta'izz - Ta'izz

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6000

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

While the aircraft was being taxied into the hangar on 9 March 1969 for a Check III inspection the port elevator was damaged by contact with a set of passenger stairs. It was decided therefore to change the elevator during the inspection. The aircraft was test flown by the pilot-in-command after the inspection at 0600 hours on 18 March 1969. During the flight it was discovered that the elevator trim was ineffective. Subsequent examination revealed that the elevator trim tabs had been rigged in opposition, one up and one down. The aircraft was therefore returned to the hangar for rectification. A further test flight was scheduled at 0600 hours on the following day, i.e. 19 March. After completing the ground run and preflight check the aircraft was again returned to the hangar for further work on the elevator trim mechanism. One of the engineers reported that the elevator trim was "very stiff". The work was carried out by the pilot-in-command and an engineer, who were observed to carry out a functional check of trim operation after the work was completed. At 0730 hours the aircraft was lined up on the runway for take-off. The take-off and climb out were observed by two experienced witnesses and appeared to be quite normal. After a period of about two minutes and at an estimated height of 700 ft the aircraft made a turn to port through approximately 1600 at an estimated 300 bank angle. The aircraft was then seen to recover from the turn and immediately enter a dive which became progressively steeper until the aircraft struck the ground and burst into flames. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was attributed to the incorrect assembly of the elevator trim tab mechanism. The resulting tab reversal induced an involuntary steep dive into the ground before there was time for recognition.

Final Report:

Crash of a Bristol 253 Britannia C.1 in Aden

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1967

Type of aircraft:

Bristol Britannia

Operator:

Registration:

XL638

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

London - Bahrain - Aden

MSN:

13400

YOM:

1959

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown at Aden-Khormaksar Airport, the four engine airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance and overran. It lost its undercarriage and came to rest in shallow water. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Failure of the reverse systems after touchdown for undetermined reason.

Ground explosion of a Blackburn B-101 Beverley C.1 in Habulaya

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1967

Type of aircraft:

Blackburn B-101 Beverley

Operator:

Registration:

XM106

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

1042

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taxiing at Habulaya Airport, the airplane rolled over a land mine. The right main gear was torn off and the aircraft came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B in Al Hudaydah

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1967

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

SU-ANL

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cairo – Al Hudaydah

MSN:

44104/397

YOM:

1953

Location:

Al Hudaydah

Al Hudaydah (الحديدة)

Country:

Yemen

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown at Al Hudaydah Airport, the crew started the braking procedure when control was lost. The airplane veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties but the airplane was written off.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the landing configuration was not compliant with the published procedures as the crew used improper reversing techniques.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 near Wādī Rabţah: 30 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1966 at 1220 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

VR-AAN

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Aden - Maifa'a

MSN:

4284

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

About 20 minutes after its departure from Aden Airport, while cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the aircraft exploded in the air, disintegrated and crashed in a desert area located in the region of Wādī Rabţah. The debris were found few hours later. None of the 30 occupants survived the crash. The crash site was located about 140 km east of the route Aden - Maifa'a, northeast of Ahwar.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the explosion was caused by the detonation of an explosive device located in a passenger bag stored in the left bag compartment, just above the left wing. The reason of this act of sabotage and the author remains unknown.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver AL1 in Ad Dali'

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1965

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

XP777

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

1448

YOM:

1960

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taking off from Ad Dali' (Dhala) airstrip, the airplane encountered downdraft and lost height, causing the tail wheel to struck the ground. The airplane went out of control and crashed. While both occupants were uninjured, the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Caught by downdrafts on takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK in Hadibu

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1965 at 0815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

VR-AAA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer

Schedule:

Sanaa – Hadibu

MSN:

14141/25586

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing at Hadibu Airport (Socotra Island), the airplane encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. As the end of the runway was approaching, the captain decided to veer off runway and completed a quit sharp turn to the left when the right main gear collapsed. Out of control, the airplane skidded and came to rest. All 17 occupants were evacuated safely while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot-in-command was no sufficiently familiarized with the airport characteristics and failed to take into consideration the wind component, landing with a tailwind, which was considered as a contributing factor. It was also reported that the ground equipment was not adapted and that the information transmitted to the crew regarding the wind component was improper, which was also considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Scottish Twin Pioneer CC.1 in Manawa

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

XM943

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site: