45 Years ago today: On 30 September 1975 a Malev Tupolev 154 crashed into the sea on approach to Beirut, Lebanon, killing all 60 occupants.
| Date: | Tuesday 30 September 1975 |
| Time: | 03:44 |
| Type: | Tupolev Tu-154A |
| Operator: | Malev Hungarian Airlines |
| Registration: | HA-LCI |
| C/n / msn: | 74A053 |
| First flight: | 1974 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1186 |
| Engines: | 3 Kuznetsov NK-8-2U |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 50 / Occupants: 50 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 60 / Occupants: 60 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 10 km (6.3 mls) off Beirut International Airport (BEY) ( |
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Budapest-Ferihegy Airport (BUD/LHBP), Hungary |
| Destination airport: | Beirut International Airport (BEY/OLBA), Lebanon |
| Flightnumber: | MA240 |
Narrative:
Malev flight 240 departed Budapest at 23:10 for a flight to Beirut. After contacting Beirut at 02:33 the crew got permission to descend to 6000 feet.
The aircraft crashed into the sea while approaching Beirut. The ILS localizer was unserviceable at the time of the accident. Visual approach should have been possible from the BOD NDB with a visibility of 20 km below clouds.
Probable Cause:
Undetermined.
