45 Years ago today: On 30 October 1975 an Inex Adria Douglas DC-9 struck a high ground during an ILS approach to Prague, killing 75 out of 120 occupants.
Date: | Thursday 30 October 1975 |
Time: | 09:20 |
Type: | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 |
Operator: | Inex-Adria Aviopromet |
Registration: | YU-AJO |
C/n / msn: | 47457/620 |
First flight: | 1971 |
Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 |
Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 5 |
Passengers: | Fatalities: 71 / Occupants: 115 |
Total: | Fatalities: 75 / Occupants: 120 |
Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
Location: | 8 km (5 mls) NE of Praha-Ruzyne International Airport (PRG) ( |
Phase: | Approach (APR) |
Nature: | Int’l Non Scheduled Passenger |
Departure airport: | Tivat Airport (TIV/LYTV), Montenegro |
Destination airport: | Praha-Ruzyne International Airport (PRG/LKPR), Czech Republic |
Flightnumber: | 450 |
Narrative:
Weather at Prague was poor. Fog at Ruzyne Airport reduced the visibility to 1500 m. The Inex Adria charter flight from Tivat (TIV) had been cleared for a runway 24 approach. After completing a right inbound turn, the crew descended below MDA and below airport level. The DC-9 entered a gorge over the River Vltava with high ground ahead and on the sides. The pilot selected full power to climb over the high ground. The airplane struck trees and a building and crashed at an elevation 300 ft below runway level.
Reportedly ILS and PAR approached were not available at the time of the accident.