Country
code
Beijing
Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.121 Trident 2E in Beijing: 192 killed
Date & Time:
Mar 14, 1979 at 0852 LT
Operator:
Registration:
B-274
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Beijing - Beijing
MSN:
2172
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
192
Circumstances:
The crew departed Beijing-Xijiao Airport for a local training mission. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the three engine airplane lost height and crashed in a huge explosion into a factory located near the airport. All 12 occupants as well as at least 180 people in the factory were killed.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the pilot-in-command has limited experience and was not familiar with this type of aircraft.
Crash of an Ilyushin II-14 in Beijing
Date & Time:
Dec 5, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
640
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident in Beijing.
Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Nanyuan AFB: 59 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 16, 1945 at 1130 LT
Operator:
Registration:
44-78591
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hankou – Nanyuan
MSN:
22414
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
55
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
59
Circumstances:
On approach to Nanyuan AFB located south of Beijing, the crew encountered poor visibility with low clouds down to 300 feet. About 25 km northwest of the airport, the aircraft hit a radio antenna (about 300 meters high) and crashed in a field. All 59 occupants were killed. It appears that the pilot were unable to locate the antenna due the low visibility, and the antenna was not mentioned on any navigation chart.
