Country
code

Ismailia

Crash of a Boeing 727-224 near Ismailia: 108 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1973 at 1411 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5A-DAH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Tripoli – Benghazi – Cairo – Bahrain
MSN:
20244/650
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
LN114
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
104
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
108
Circumstances:
Flight 114 was an international scheduled service from Tripoli to Bahrain with intermediate stops in Benghazi and Cairo. On board were 104 passengers and a crew of nine, five from Air France, among them the captain, Mr. Jacques Bourgès, aged 42. Normally, the Benghazi – Cairo route was flown eastwards along the Libyan coast until reaching the city of Sidi Barrani in Egypt, where the airway turned inland to the VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) area located west of Lake Qarun. The entry to the Cairo terminal area was made on a north-easterly heading over a 71-nautical-mile (131 km) long path that separated Lake Qarun from the Cairo VOR. At 13:45 the Cairo traffic control (CTC) saw the aircraft approaching from the west. Permission was granted to land in runway 23. CTC surprisingly saw the Boeing heading eastward towards the Suez Canal at 13:50. Evidence from both the recovered Boeing 727 voice recorders and the Israeli authorities' flight data recorder later showed that the Libyan aircraft was likely to had been already off course when it reported its position over Qarun, probably due to strong westerly upper-level winds associated to a low level sandstorm. The crew was forced to rely on instrument navigation because of this sandstorm. Both instrument and navigational error caused the aircraft to go off course, entering airspace dominated by Israel when flying over the Sinai Peninsula. By this time the aircraft had been lost from the Egyptian air traffic control. The crew believed they were close to the destination airport and started the descent. At 13:55 the aircraft was detected in the radar by the Israelis as it was entering Israeli airspace; it was located south-east of Suez at an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 m). Two Israeli Air Force Phantoms were sent to intercept the then unidentified aircraft. Following the re-establishment of communications with CTC the pilot of the Libyan aircraft looked through the cabin's port window and saw the fighters, but he mistook them for Egyptian MiGs. The Libyan aircraft continued flying deeper into the Sinai at a speed of 325 miles per hour (523 km/h), but it suddenly veered to the west. It was at that time that the Boeing's crew realised they were having problems with their instruments. The Israeli fighter pilots attempted to make visual contact with the passenger airliner's crew, and tried to communicate to them by signaling with their hands and dipping their wings. The 727 crew's response was interpreted as a denial of that request. The 727 adopting a westward course was interpreted by the Israeli pilots as an attempt to flee. The Israeli Phantom pilots fired bursts from their 20 mm M61 cannons, severely damaging the airliner's control surfaces, hydraulic systems, and wing structure. Flight 114 attempted an emergency landing in an area covered with sand dunes, but crashed, with an explosion near the right main landing gear. Four passengers and the copilot survived while 108 other occupants were killed. The copilot later said that the flight crew knew the Israeli jets wanted them to land but relations between Israel and Libya made them decide against following instructions. In direct contradiction to the co-pilot's own account, the Libyan government stated that the attack occurred without warning. Israel's air force perceived Flight 114 as a security threat, and that among the possible tasks it could have been undertaking was an aerial spy mission over the Israeli air base at Bir Gifgafa. The Israeli government also revealed that LN114 was shot down with the personal authorization of David Elazar, the Israeli Chief of Staff. Israel's argument was that the heightened security situation and the erratic behaviour of the jet's crew made the actions taken prudent. The United Nations did not take any action against Israel. The 30 member nations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) voted to censure Israel for the attack. The United States did not accept the reasoning given by Israel, and condemned the incident. Israel's Defense Minister, Moshe Dayan, called it an "error of judgment", and Israel paid compensation to the victims' families.
Probable cause:
Shot down by two Israel Air Force fighters.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 near Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW140
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
MSN:
310
YOM:
22
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie at Fāyid Airbase. On final approach, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around and completed a low pass over the airport. While starting to climb, an engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing in a desert area located 3,2 km north of the airfield. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 at Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: May 23, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW834
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
395
YOM:
1949
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Fāyid AFB, the undercarriage were lowered but not locked. On touchdown, one of the main gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage failure.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW180
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
MSN:
336
YOM:
31
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a failure of the tail wheel jack during takeoff, a hydraulic leak occurred. While returning to Fāyid AFB, the undercarriage could not be locked down and an emergency landing was carried out. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW846
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
MSN:
407
YOM:
9
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a local training sortie at Fāyid AFB. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the pilot informed ground about an engine failure and elected to return for a safe landing when the second engine failed as well. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area. On touchdown, the airplane lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 in Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1952
Operator:
Registration:
TG562
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fāyid – Topcliffe
MSN:
53
YOM:
1949
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from RAF Fāyid to Topcliffe, carrying two engines that should be repaired. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft stalled and crash landed. All four crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW824
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
385
YOM:
10
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fāyid Airbase, en route to UK, an engine lost power. The crew decided to return for a safe landing but was unable to feather the propeller. The pilot-in-command completed a belly landing and after touchdown, the aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine power loss.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Fāyid AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW156
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
MSN:
326
YOM:
11
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a demonstration flight at Fāyid AFB, on behalf of the 78th Squadron. While dropping equipment from a height of 800 feet, a parachute deployed prematurely and hit the tail of the aircraft that became uncontrollable and crashed in a huge explosion three km from the airfield. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 near Fāyid AFB: 10 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX957
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie from Fāyid AFB and was carrying a crew of ten that should simulate a combined attack with a RAF Vampire. Registered VZ188, the Vampire was carrying one pilot. In flight, while cruising at low height, both aircraft collided, dove into the ground and crashed 11 miles northeast of the Fāyid airbase. All 11 occupants on both aircraft were killed. It was reported that most of the crew members were cadets on vacation in the region.

Crash of a Vickers Valetta in Deversoir AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW160
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
330
YOM:
24
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suffered a loss of power simultaneously on both engines. The aircraft skidded and veered off runway before colliding with a Direction Finding station. All occupants escaped unhurt while a person in the station was killed. The aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond economical repair.