United Arab Airlines Flight 869 (1963)
Encyclopedia
United Arab Airlines Flight 869 was an international scheduled passenger de Havilland Comet 4C
flight from Tokyo, Japan to Cairo
via Hong Kong
, Bangkok, Bombay and Bahrain
. On 27 July 1963 it was being operated by a de Havilland Comet
registered
as SU-ALD, when on approach to Bombay - Santa Cruz Airport at night it crashed into the sea with the loss of all 63 on board. Among the 55 passengers were a party of 26 Boy Scouts from the Philippines
on their way to the 11th World Scout Jamboree
in Greece.
beacon at 7000 feet and it was cleared to descend to 4000 feet. The crew requested an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 09 and that they would follow the back beam procedure. The control advised them the procedure was not available and they should carry out an approach using the VOR beacon. The crew agreed to use the procedure and reported leaving 7000 feet in the descent on the 272 degree radial from the VOR. The controller adviced them that the they may encounter heavy turbulence if they go more than six or seven miles west of the airport. The crew requested a left-hand procedure rather than the more normal right-hand one because of the weather.Permission was granted and the aircraft already in severe turbulence entered a left-hand turn and then crashed into the sea nine nautical miles from Madh Island.
De Havilland Comet
The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
flight from Tokyo, Japan to Cairo
Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and the primary hub for Star Alliance member EgyptAir. The airport is located to the north-east of the city around from the business area of the city.The airport is administered by the Egyptian Holding Co...
via Hong Kong
Kai Tak Airport
Kai Tak Airport was the international airport of Hong Kong from 1925 until 1998. It was officially known as the Hong Kong International Airport from 1954 to 6 July 1998, when it was closed and replaced by the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok, 30 km to the west...
, Bangkok, Bombay and Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. On 27 July 1963 it was being operated by a de Havilland Comet
De Havilland Comet
The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
registered
Aircraft registration
An aircraft registration is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a civil aircraft, in similar fashion to a licence plate on an automobile...
as SU-ALD, when on approach to Bombay - Santa Cruz Airport at night it crashed into the sea with the loss of all 63 on board. Among the 55 passengers were a party of 26 Boy Scouts from the Philippines
Boy Scouts of the Philippines
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines is the national Scout organization of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute in nation-building.The BSP was chartered under...
on their way to the 11th World Scout Jamboree
11th World Scout Jamboree
The 11th World Scout Jamboree was held in August 1963 and was hosted by Greece at Marathon.The largest contingent for this event was the British, with almost 1,200 Scouts attending ....
in Greece.
Accident
At 20:16 the Comet crew reported being overhead the Santa Cruz VORVör
In Norse mythology, Vör is a goddess associated with wisdom. Vör is attested in the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson; and twice in kennings employed in skaldic poetry...
beacon at 7000 feet and it was cleared to descend to 4000 feet. The crew requested an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 09 and that they would follow the back beam procedure. The control advised them the procedure was not available and they should carry out an approach using the VOR beacon. The crew agreed to use the procedure and reported leaving 7000 feet in the descent on the 272 degree radial from the VOR. The controller adviced them that the they may encounter heavy turbulence if they go more than six or seven miles west of the airport. The crew requested a left-hand procedure rather than the more normal right-hand one because of the weather.Permission was granted and the aircraft already in severe turbulence entered a left-hand turn and then crashed into the sea nine nautical miles from Madh Island.