44 Years ago today: On 14 May 1977 an IAS Cargo Boeing 707-321C crashed on approach to Lusaka following a fatigue failure of the stabilizer, killing all 6 crew.
Date: | Saturday 14 May 1977 |
Time: | 09:33 UTC |
Type: | Boeing 707-321C |
Operating for: | IAS Cargo |
Leased from: | Dan-Air Services |
Registration: | G-BEBP |
MSN: | 18579/332 |
First flight: | 1963 |
Total airframe hrs: | 47621 |
Cycles: | 16723 |
Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B |
Crew: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
Passengers: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
Location: | 3,7 km (2.3 mls) W of Lusaka Airport (LUN) ( Zambia) |
Phase: | Approach (APR) |
Nature: | Cargo |
Departure airport: | Nairobi International Airport (NBO/HKNA), Kenya |
Destination airport: | Lusaka Airport (LUN/FLLS), Zambia |
Narrative:
The aircraft departed Nairobi (NBO) at 07:17 for the final leg of a London-Heathrow – Athens – Nairobi – Lusaka cargo flight. Boeing 707 G-BEBP proceeded to Lusaka at FL310. At 09:07 the flight was cleared to descend to FL110. This altitude was reached at 09:23, 37nm DME from Lusaka. A clearance was then given to descend further down to FL70 in 1000 feet steps. At 09:28 the co-pilot reported that the airfield was in sight. Lusaka then cleared the aircraft to descend to 6000 feet (2221 feet above runway elevation) and moments later a clearance was given to make a visual approach for runway 10. At 09:32 flaps were selected to 50 degrees. Suddenly, at 09:33, the complete right-hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator assembly were seen to separate in flight. The aircraft pitched rapidly nose down and dived vertically into the ground from a height of about 800 feet. The main wreckage was located 3660 m from the runway threshold.
Probable Cause:
CAUSE: “The accident was caused by a loss of pitch control following the in-flight separation of the right hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of a combination of metal fatigue and inadequate failsafe design in the rear spar structure. Shortcomings in design assessment, certification and inspection procedures were contributory factors.