Aircraft crash near Beirut during cargo flight

9 fatalities • Beirut, Lebanon • Landing (descent or approach)

A four-engine cargo aircraft crashed near Beirut, killing all nine people on board after striking power lines during its approach.

What happened

A cargo operation traveling from Warsaw to Beirut, with a scheduled stop in Varga, ended in a fatal accident near the Lebanese capital. The four-engine airplane, which was transporting a shipment of frozen meat, was descending through 2,100 feet while approaching the airport. During this final approach phase, the aircraft collided with electrical power cables.

The impact caused the plane to crash onto rocky terrain situated approximately 8 km from the threshold of runway 21. The force of the collision resulted in the total disintegration of the airframe. There were nine fatalities among the crew members on board, with no survivors reported.

Findings

During the descent, air traffic controllers attempted to communicate several instructions to the flight crew. However, the crew did not acknowledge or respond to these transmissions. It has been suggested that a language barrier may have prevented the crew from receiving and acting upon the ATC guidance.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck power lines during its approach, potentially exacerbated by a failure to respond to air traffic control instructions due to communication difficulties.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1977-05-13 Antonov AN-12 accident near Beirut, Lebanon?

A four-engine cargo aircraft crashed near Beirut, killing all nine people on board after striking power lines during its approach.

Were there any fatalities in the 1977-05-13 Antonov AN-12 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 9 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1977-05-13 involved a Antonov AN-12, registration SP-LZA, operated by LOT Polish Airlines - Polskie Linie Lotnicze, at Beirut, Lebanon.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck power lines during its approach, potentially exacerbated by a failure to respond to air traffic control instructions due to communication difficulties.

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