Accident Details
The aircraft, having arrived at Malta earlier that day at 1046LT, initiated its departure from Luqa Aerodrome for Stansted, England. The takeoff run proceeded normally until the aircraft lifted off approximately two-thirds of the way down the runway. The crew retracted the landing gear. Shortly after becoming airborne, black smoke was observed coming from the No. 1 engine. Despite instructions from Ground Control to turn to starboard, the aircraft began to drift to the port side. The port wing then dipped steeply, and at 1222-23 hours, the aircraft nosedived into the ground on cliffs near Zurrieq. The impact resulted in an explosion. All five crew members and 45 passengers were killed.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was the failure of No. 1 engine. However, the engine failure alone did not cause the accident. The accident was caused by a loss of speed and consequent loss of control, which resulted from an error of judgment by the pilot.