Narrative:
The Viscount approached Beirut runway 21 in heavy rainfall. Downdraft just prior to touchdown, caused the plane to touch down very heavily, causing it to become airborne again. The aircraft hit the ground again with the right main gear, causing the right main spar to fail and the wing, together with the no. 3 and 4 propellers, to hit the ground. The Viscount came to rest just off the runway on soft ground.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the pilot-in-command to take action: firstly to counteract the effect of a downdraft on final approach and, secondly, to react correctly to a bounce to a height of approximately thirty feet."
| Status: | |
| Date: | Sunday 23 February 1964 |
| Time: | 17:20 UTC |
| Type: |  Vickers 732 Viscount |
| Operator: | United Arab Airlines - UAA |
| Registration: | SU-AKX |
| MSN: | 76 |
| First flight: | 1955 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 48 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 53 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Beirut International Airport (BEY) ( Lebanon)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA), Egypt |
| Beirut International Airport (BEY/OLBA), Lebanon |
The Viscount approached Beirut runway 21 in heavy rainfall. Downdraft just prior to touchdown, caused the plane to touch down very heavily, causing it to become airborne again. The aircraft hit the ground again with the right main gear, causing the right main spar to fail and the wing, together with the no. 3 and 4 propellers, to hit the ground. The Viscount came to rest just off the runway on soft ground.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the pilot-in-command to take action: firstly to counteract the effect of a downdraft on final approach and, secondly, to react correctly to a bounce to a height of approximately thirty feet."
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Cairo International Airport to Beirut International Airport as the crow flies is 560 km (350 miles).
Distance from Cairo International Airport to Beirut International Airport as the crow flies is 560 km (350 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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