Crash of a Boeing 720-040B near Cairo: 121 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1965 at 0148 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AP-AMH
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Karachi – Dhahran – Cairo – Geneva – London
MSN:
18379
YOM:
1962
Flight number:
PK705
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
114
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
121
Captain / Total flying hours:
13142
Captain / Total hours on type:
2214.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6754
Copilot / Total hours on type:
148
Circumstances:
Flight 705 was a scheduled international public transport flight from Karachi to Dhahran, Cairo, Geneva and London. No defects were reported by the crew at Dhahran. The flight departed Dhahran at 2122 hours W. It reported abeam Aqaba, 196 MM from the Cairo omni at 2313 hours, leaving FL 360 at 2322 hours, RD fix at 2330 hours and approaching Ft 130 and one minute away from the field at 2338 hours. The flight was then cleared dm to FL 65 and was given a QNH of 1 014 mb. It reported coming overhead at 2339 hours, passing FL 100 and was instructed to maintain FL 65. It then made a holding turn in the Cairo range pattern, descending to FL 65. On reporting overhead Cairo range station, after completing one holding at 2340 hours the flight was cleared to join left-hand circuit for runway 34 and to report downwind. The crew then informed the tower that they would carry out an instrument let-down and would call when commencing the procedure turn. The flight was then cleared to descend to FL 45 and was told to report procedure turn inbound descending to 2 500 ft. At 2345 hours the crew informed the tower that they were in a position for reporting downwind for runway 34 and, on being asked by the control tower about their intention, they requested a clearance to proceed downwind. During this period the aircraft continued on a southerly heading towards a downwind position for a left-hand circuit for runway 34. Cairo approach control then cleared the flight to descend to circuit height for final approach to runway 34 and to change over to tower frequency 118,1 Mc/s for landing, At 2345 hours the crew reported that they would be turning on final and changing to tower frequency. The flight was then cleared to continue approach and to report on short final. It was given weather information for landing and was asked whether it was turning on to final. At 2348:30 hours the crew acknowledged: "affirmative" and finally, at 2348~55 hours, a scratching noise was heard on the control tower receiver and nothing further was heard from the aircraft. Six passengers survived while 121 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft did not maintain the adequate height for the circuit and continued to descend until it contacted the ground. The reason for that abnormal continuation of descent is unknown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7 in Deer Valley

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N68N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Site:
MSN:
44275/496
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was voluntarily crashed by FAA for experimental purposes. The 'accident' occurred on takeoff from Deer Valley, at a speed of 140 knots, when the aircraft hit a hill and disintegrated. There were no occupants on board.
Thanks to Chris Baird - www.arizonawrecks.com

Crash of a Scottish Twin Pioneer C.2 in Bu Hafafa: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1963
Operator:
Registration:
XL994
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
530
YOM:
1958
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a desert area located west of Bu Hafafa. A passenger was seriously injured while eight other occupants were killed, among them four cadets from the Sultanat of Oman's Military School.
Probable cause:
Investigations were not able to determine the exact cause of the loss of control.

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-55-DL Invader in Algeria: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-34411/F-UIJD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Oran - Oran
MSN:
27690
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew left Oran-Es Senia Airport on a night patrol flight over the Morice Line located in the east part of Algeria. While cruising by night in formation with a second Douglas A-26 registered 44-35765 (F-UIJH), both airplanes collided and crashed, killing all eight occupants on both aircraft.

Crash of a Douglas A-26C-45-DT Invader in Algeria: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-35765/F-UIJH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Oran - Oran
MSN:
29044
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew left Oran-Es Senia Airport on a night patrol flight over the Morice Line located in the east part of Algeria. While cruising by night in formation with a second Douglas A-26 registered 44-34411 (F-UIJD), both airplanes collided and crashed, killing all eight occupants on both aircraft.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649 Starliner near Ghadames: 78 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1961 at 0112 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BHBM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Brazzaville – Bangui – Fort Lamy – Marseille – Paris
MSN:
1027
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
AF406
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
69
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Circumstances:
While cruising by night at an altitude of 20,000 feet vertical to the Sahara Desert, the airplane disintegrated in the air and crashed in a desert area located in the east part of Algeria, at the border with Libya. The crew was unable to send any distress call. The debris were scattered on a wide area between Ghadamès (Libya) and Zarzaïtine, Algeria. All 78 occupants were killed in the crash.
Crew:
Mr. Bouchier, pilot,
Mr. Best, copilot,
Mr. Baylion, navigator,
Mr. Guntz, radio operator,
Mr. Gambart de Lignières, mechanic,
Mr. Burgaut, mechanic,
Mrs. Chiapolino, stewardess,
Mr. Eichelberger, steward,
Mr. Pasqueron, steward.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the probable cause of the accident was an act of sabotage with the denotation of a nitrocellulose explosive device. The reasons and the authors of this act remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in El Badary

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1960 at 0854 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-CIG
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Luxembourg – Cairo – Entebbe – Johannesburg
MSN:
42913
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
TRK033
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
61
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On the leg from Cairo to Entebbe, while cruising at an altitude of 9,500 feet, the engine number two caught fire. The crew feathered the propeller and elected to extinguish the fire but without success. As the fire could not be contained, the captain decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a sandy area located near El Badary, about 30 km south of Asyut and came to rest in flames. All 67 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
A heavy fuel leak from a sheared or cracked fuel pressure pipe, which was ignited by sparks from the generator.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Bahía Kino: 26 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1959 at 0639 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-MIS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mexicali – Guaymas
MSN:
22586
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Mexicali to Guaymas, the airplane exploded in mid air, dove into the ground and crashed in a desert area located in Bahía Kino. All 26 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the explosion could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Scottish Twin Pioneer CC.1 near Aden

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1959
Operator:
Registration:
XM287
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Aden - Aden
MSN:
541
YOM:
20
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training mission out from Aden-Khormaksar Airport. En route, a double engine failure forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed and came to rest upside down. All five occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight. Fuel contamination is suspected.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7 near Las Vegas: 47 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1958 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6328C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Los Angeles – Denver – New York
MSN:
45142
YOM:
1956
Flight number:
UA736
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
47
Circumstances:
United Airlines Flight 736 departed Los Angeles International Airport at 0737 hours Pacific standard time with 42 passengers and 5 crew aboard. It was a scheduled passenger flight to New York, which was proceeding normally in accordance with an IFR flight plan along Victor Airway 16 to Ontario, California, and Victor Airway 8 to Denver. The aircraft was cleared to a cruising altitude of 21 000 ft msl and advised to climb in VFR weather conditions. At 0735 the flight reported to Aeronautical Radio that it was over Ontario at 12 000 ft and was climbing in VFR conditions. Then at 081 1 it reported over Daggett at its cruising altitude of 21 000 ft and estimated that it would reach Las Vegas (omni range station) at 0831, This was the last position report made by the flight. At approximately 0745 hours that morning F-100F, 56-3755, took off from Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada on an instrument training flight carrying an instructor and a trainee pilot. The flight was in accordance with a VFR local flight plan filed with Nellis Operations and the local traffic control tower. At approximately 0823, 755 called Nellis VFR Control and reported that it was "inbound on KRAM" ( a local commercial radio broadcast station). The flight requested an altitude assignment from which it would conduct a simulated ADF instrument jet penetration utilizing KRAM. The VFR controller assigned 755, 28 000 ft and advised it to report over the radio station. At approximately 0828, the flight reported that it was over KRAM requesting a penetration. The VFR controller cleared it for an immediate penetration and requested that it report the penetration turn. 755 then reported leaving 28 000 ft. There were no &her reports from the flight in connection with this procedure. At 0830 the offices of Aeronautical Radio at Los Angeles, Denver and Salt Lake City heard an emergency message from the United flight.. . . . " United 736, Mayday, midair collision, over Las Vegas. " At the same time, as nearly as can be determined, there was an unrecorded emergency transmission from the F-1 00F. This message was heard by the VFR controller and by the two pilots of another F-100F. All were agreed that the first portion of the emergency transmission was "Mayday, Mayday, this is 755. " The last part of the message was either, "We've had a flameout" or 'We're bailing out." The aircraft collided at 21 000 ft over a position later determined to be about 9 miles southwest of the Las Vegas VOR station, on Victor Airway 8, approximately 1-3/4 miles to the right (southeast) of the centerline. Both aircraft fell out of control and crashed killing the 47 persons on board the DC-7 and both pilots of the F-100F.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this collision was a high rate of near head-on closure at high altitude; human and cockpit limitations; and the failure of Nellis Air Force Base and the Civil Aeronautics Administration to take every measure to reduce a known collision exposure.
Final Report: