49 Years ago today: On 10 November 1971 a Merpati Nusantara Vickers Viscount crashed off Padang, killing all 69 occupants.
| Date: | Wednesday 10 November 1971 |
| Type: | Vickers 828 Viscount |
| Operator: | Merpati Nusantara Airlines |
| Registration: | PK-MVS |
| C/n / msn: | 448 |
| First flight: | 1962-03-07 (9 years 8 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 18497 |
| Cycles: | 15117 |
| Engines: | 4 Rolls-Royce Dart 525 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 62 / Occupants: 62 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 69 / Occupants: 69 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | S off Padang ( |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Jakarta (unknown airport), Indonesia |
| Destination airport: | Padang-Tabing Airport (PDG/WIMG), Indonesia |
Narrative:
Merpati Airlines’ domestic service from Jakarta to Padang was carried out a by a Vickers Viscount named “Sabang”. The aircraft had initiated its descent for Padang when it crashed into the sea. Floating pieces of wreckage were found after three days, 75 miles off island of Sumatra.
