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Attica / Αττική
Crash of a Canadair CL-215-1A10 at Elefsis AFB: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Mar 10, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
1015
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elefsis - Elefsis
MSN:
1015
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Elefsis AFB on a local training flight. While in a circuit, one of the engine failed and the crew feathered its propeller and decided to return when the aircraft lost height and crashed near the airfield. All three occupants were killed.
Crash of a Douglas DC-8-62 in Athens: 14 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 7, 1979 at 2116 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HB-IDE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Zurich – Geneva – Athens – Bombay – Beijing
MSN:
45919/312
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
SR316
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
144
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total hours on type:
2637.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
805
Aircraft flight hours:
46418
Aircraft flight cycles:
16609
Circumstances:
The approach to runway 15L was unstable. At an excessive speed of 150 knots, the four engine airplane landed about 800-900 meters down the runway 15L, on a wet surface. The crew failed to use all available braking systems and unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran at a speed of 40 knots, went through a perimeter fence and descended a ravine before coming to rest in flames. 20 passengers were injured while 120 other occupants escaped uninjured. Unfortunately, 14 passengers were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a succession of errors on part of the flying crew, among them:
- The aircraft was unstable on final approach,
- The crew landed too far down the runway with a touchdown point estimated 800 to 900 meters past the runway threshold,
- The aircraft's speed at touchdown was excessive (150 knots),
- The crew failed to apply brakes according to published procedures, especially the wheel brakes in known adverse weather conditions,
- Wrong approach configuration,
- The crew has been informed prior to landing that the braking coefficient was medium to poor,
- The runway surface was wet due to recent rain falls.
- The aircraft was unstable on final approach,
- The crew landed too far down the runway with a touchdown point estimated 800 to 900 meters past the runway threshold,
- The aircraft's speed at touchdown was excessive (150 knots),
- The crew failed to apply brakes according to published procedures, especially the wheel brakes in known adverse weather conditions,
- Wrong approach configuration,
- The crew has been informed prior to landing that the braking coefficient was medium to poor,
- The runway surface was wet due to recent rain falls.
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 Douglas C-47 near Vilia: 23 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 12, 1970 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a training mission, carrying a crew of 5 and 22 paratroopers. While cruising in foggy conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Kithairon located near Vilia, some 47 km northwest of Athens. Three paratroopers and a crew member were rescued while 23 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
Crash of a Douglas DC-6B on Mt Paneio: 90 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 8, 1969 at 2046 LT
Operator:
Registration:
SX-DAE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Canea - Athens
MSN:
45540
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
OA954
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
85
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
90
Circumstances:
While descending to Athens-Hellinikon Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls, thunderstorm activity and turbulences. An activ thunderstorm area was located south of the airport so the crew started an ILS approach but modified his track to the northeast over the region of Keratea. While flying at an altitude of 2,000 feet with its undercarriage retracted, the four engine aircraft passed over the city of Keratea then struck the slope of Mt Paneio located about 20 km southeast of Hellinikon Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and none of 90 occupants survived.
Probable cause:
The pilots were unable to distinguish the mountain due to low visibility caused by night and poor weather conditions. While slightly off track on approach, the airplane struck a mountain slope and was destroyed. The accident is considered to be the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.
Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL near Avlona: 19 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 30, 1959 at 1525 LT
Operator:
Registration:
SX-BAD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Athens – Thessaloniki
MSN:
9491
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
OA214
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Athens-Ellinikon Airport at 1501LT bound for Tessaloniki. The crew climbed to an altitude of 3,000 feet with a 240° heading and later received the permission to climb to 9,000 feet. While approaching Mt Parnis in good weather conditions, the captain informed ATC about his position. Five minutes later, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and crashed near Avlona. The airplane was totally destroyed upon impact and all 19 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the failure of the gudgeon pin bearing of no.6 piston of the left engine, which resulted in the abrupt breaking of the engine. Inertia of the propeller at the moment of the breaking of the engine caused failure of the propeller shaft. The broken propeller, rotating, caused serious cuts on the left wing. The latter then separated and loss of control followed.
Crash of a Canadair C-54GM North Star in Athens
Date & Time:
Jun 21, 1959 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
17525
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cairo - Athens
MSN:
101
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Ellinikon Airport in Athens, a tire burst. The airplane skidded on runway for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All 26 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Following a tire burst, a fuel line was cut and fluid ignited after it contacted high temperature equipment.
Crash of a Douglas C-47 at Elefsis AFB: 19 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 8, 1954
Operator:
Survivors:
No
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Elefsis AFB and was destroyed by fire. All 19 occupants, 12 officers, 4 soldiers and 3 crew members were killed.
