Country
Operator Image
Crash of a Boeing 727-230A in Thessaloniki
Date & Time:
Aug 12, 1997 at 1741 LT
Operator:
Registration:
SX-CBI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Athens - Thessaloniki - Frankfurt
MSN:
20791
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
OA171
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Thessaloniki Airport was completed in poor weather conditions. The aircraft landed too far down the runway and after touchdown, the crew realized he could not stop the aircraft within the remaining distance so he decided to veer off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft came to rest. All 35 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the wind was from 360° at 18 knots gusting to 28 knots with thunderstorm activity, rain falls and a visibility of 5 km.
Probable cause:
The following findings were reported:
- Poor weather conditions,
- The runway surface was wet and the braking action was considered as moderate to low,
- The flying crew consisted of two highly experienced captains,
- The crew was under stress during the final approach due to poor weather conditions,
- Wrong approach configuration as the aircraft was too high on the glide,
- The crew failed to follow the approach checklist,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway, about a third past its threshold, reducing the landing distance available,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.
- Poor weather conditions,
- The runway surface was wet and the braking action was considered as moderate to low,
- The flying crew consisted of two highly experienced captains,
- The crew was under stress during the final approach due to poor weather conditions,
- Wrong approach configuration as the aircraft was too high on the glide,
- The crew failed to follow the approach checklist,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway, about a third past its threshold, reducing the landing distance available,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.
Crash of a NAMC YS-11A-500 near Kozani: 50 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 23, 1976 at 0945 LT
Operator:
Registration:
SX-BBR
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Athens - Larisa
MSN:
2156
YOM:
1971
Flight number:
OA830
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
46
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
50
Circumstances:
En route from Athens to Larisa, the crew was informed by ATC that Larisa Airport was closed to traffic due to poor weather conditions and was rerouted to Kozani. While descending to Kozani Airport in poor weather conditions, at an altitude of 4,265 feet, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 25 km south of the airfield. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 50 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the mountain was shrouded by clouds and the visibility was limited to 20 metres.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain following a premature descent on part of the pilot-in-command.
Crash of a NAMC YS-11A-500 off Athens: 37 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 21, 1972 at 2130 LT
Operator:
Registration:
SX-BBQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kerkyra - Athens
MSN:
2155
YOM:
1971
Flight number:
OA506
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
49
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
37
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Kerkyra Airport, the crew started the descent in poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to the night. On final approach in stormy weather, the airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the sea about 5 km offshore. 16 occupants were rescued while 37 others, including a crew members were killed. The wreckage sank by a depth of 12 meters but was recovered a day later and brought back onto the beach.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident remains undetermined but it is believed that it was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain (water surface) while approaching Athens-Ellinikon Airport in limited visibility due to the night and poor weather conditions.
Crash of a Learjet 25B off Antibes: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 18, 1972
Operator:
Registration:
SX-ASO
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Athens - Nice
MSN:
25-074
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport, while on a positioning flight from Athens-Ellinikon Airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Antibes. Both crew members were killed.
Crash of a Douglas DC-6B in Kerkyra
Date & Time:
Nov 5, 1970
Operator:
Registration:
SX-DAI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Athens - Kerkyra
MSN:
45544/1026
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
62
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Kerkyra-Ioánnis Kapodístrias Airport runway 35, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on runway then veered off runway to the left and came to rest 450 feet further. All 67 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the nose gear upon landing.
