Al-Basrah (البصرة) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While approaching Basra Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to sand storm. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in a field located few km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed, among them Abdel Salam Mohammad Arif, President of the Republic of Iraq. He was flying with two Ministers and two Chiefs of Staff.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Al Seeba

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

EP-ADA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Abadan – Kuwait City

MSN:

MW231

YOM:

1945

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About eight minutes after takeoff from Abadan Airport, while on a short flight to Kuwait City, the crew was flying at an altitude of 500 feet when power was lost on engine number three and four. The propeller on engine four was feathered and the crew contacted ATC for to return to Abadan for a safe landing. As the airplane lost height, the captain eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in a desert area located in Al Seeba, at the border between Iraq and Iran. The aircraft belly landed and was damaged beyond repair. All 13 occupants were evacuated safely.

Probable cause:

Mismanagement of the fuel pumps on part of the flying crew after departure from Abadan Airport. There was less than 100 gallons of fuel on the right tank at the time of the accident, which was not sufficient and thus considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII near Basra

Date & Time: May 9, 1948

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII

Operator:

Registration:

AP-ABZ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Desert

MSN:

1374

YOM:

1945

Location:

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The crew started the descent to Shaibah Airbase near Basra when all four engines stopped simultaneously. The captain elected to make an emergency landing in a desert area located 66 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members were unhurt. The crew was in charge to deliver the aircraft in Karachi as it was just on the Pakistan register since 4 days.

Probable cause:

Failure of all four engines caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Shaibah AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1947 at 2240 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

G-AGNR

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

London – Luqa – Cairo – Basra – Karachi – New Delhi – Calcutta

MSN:

1219

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

Enroute from Cairo to Basra, the crew was informed by ATC about poor weather in Basra and was instructed to divert to the Shaibah AFB located east of Basra. On approach by night, the pilot was unable to locate the runway and was forced to abandon the landing procedure for a go around. A second attempt to land and a third approach few minutes later were abandoned as well. During the fourth trial, the captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground when the four engine aircraft hit the ground and bounced. It gain few meters, flew over a wooded area and eventually stalled and crashed 740 yards further, in a desert area. All six crew members were killed while 12 passengers were injured.

Probable cause:

An error on the part of the pilot in continuing the flight in unsuitable weather conditions coupled with a lack of cooperation on part of the Air Traffic Control.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK near Basra

Date & Time: May 1, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

G-AGNA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Desert

MSN:

14967/26412

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Circumstances:

Crashed near Basra during a sandstorm. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Shaibah

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1384

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Shaibah - Shaibah

MSN:

8667

YOM:

1938

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local night training mission at Shaibah Airbase. On approach, the airplane was too low and crashed short of runway. All three crew members were uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal in Basra: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1929

Type of aircraft:

Dornier Do J Wal

Operator:

Registration:

D-22

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Texel - Basra - Batavia

MSN:

YOM:

1929

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The seaplane was on a delivery flight from The Netherlands to the Dutch Indies. It crashed in unknown circumstances in Basra, Iraq. The pilot P. S. Everts was killed while both other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.9A at Jalibah AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1924

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.9

Operator:

Registration:

J552

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Jalibah - Jalibah

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The crew departed Jalibah AFB on a local training mission. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt W. H. E. Kemp,
AC2 A. Adams.