1977 Dan-Air Boeing 707 crash

Infobox Airliner accident
name = 1977 Dan-Air/IAS Cargo Boeing 707 airplane crash
Date = May 14 1977
Type = Structural failure
Site = Near Lusaka, Zambia
Fatalities = 6
Injuries = 0
Aircraft Type= Boeing 707-321C
Operator = Dan-Air Services Ltd.
Tail Number = G-BEBP
Passengers = 1
Crew = 5
Survivors = 0

The 1977 Dan-Air/IAS Cargo Boeing 707 airplane crash was a fatal accident involving a Boeing 707-321C cargo aircraft operated by Dan-Air Services Ltd. on behalf of IAS Cargo Airlines Ltd., which had been sub-contracted by Zambia Airways Corporation to operate a weekly scheduled all-cargo service between London Heathrow and the Zambian capital Lusaka via Athens and Nairobi. The aircraft crashed during approach to Lusaka Airport, Zambia, on May 14, 1977. All 6 occupants of the aircraft were killed.

History of Flight

The flight was a three-leg flight. It had originated from London's Heathrow Airport, from which the Boeing flew unneventfully to Athens. From Athens it then proceeded to Nairobi. Departure from Nairobi on the final leg occurred as planned at 07:17, May 14, destined for Lusaka.

The 707 cruised at flight level 310 for about two hours, after which it was cleared for descent to flight level 110. Flight level 110 was reached at approximately 09:23, and clearance was granted to begin descent towards a target of flight level 70. Just before 09:30, clearance to descend to 6,000 feet was granted, and moments later the plane was cleared to make a visual approach to runway 10. A few minutes later, witnesses saw the entire right horizontal stabilizer and elevator assembly detach from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently lost pitch control and entered a nose-dive from about 800 feet to ground level, destroying the aircraft on impact.

There were no survivors among the five crew members and one jumpseat passenger on-board the aircraft. There were no other fatalities on the ground. The wreckage was located approximately 3660 metres from the runway.

Investigation

A full investigation was launched by the Zambian authorities. The conclusions made by that investigation are as follows:

It was determined that the structure of the tailfin failed due to metal fatigue in the rear spar structure, and due to the lack of an adequate failsafe structure or device should such an event occur. The investigation also identified deficiencies in the assessment of aircraft designs and their certification and in the way aircraft were inspected.

References

* [http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19770514-0 ASN Analysis (including picture of accident aircraft one year prior to the accident]
* [http://faalessons2006.workforceconnect.org/l2/Dan_Air/ Detailed accident description]