Cargo Aircraft Crash on Mount Süphan During London–Bahrain Flight (G-AGRH)

Flight Details and Disappearance A four-engine aircraft was operating a cargo flight from London to Bahrain, with an intermediate stop at Ankara Airport. The aircraft carried a crew of 12 and various goods. At 0814 local time, the aircraft passed over Gemerek at an altitude of 11,500 feet. It then passed over Elazığ at 0859 local time at 13,500 feet. The crew reported its position over Muş 27 minutes later. Contact with the aircraft was lost at 0946 local time. ## Search and Recovery Search and rescue operations were conducted following the loss of contact. The wreckage was found six days later on the slope of Mount Süphan Dağı, a peak 4,158 metres high located to the north of Van Lake. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 12 occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The official investigation found that the aircraft, flying on instruments, drifted north of its normal track because of strong winds and crashed into the mountain. Contributing factors included winds stronger than forecast, the inability to obtain an accurate bearing at Muş, and the fact that Van had not been checked. Sub-normal temperatures would have resulted in a high indicated altimeter reading. Calculations on the flight and contacts with beacons were not coordinated and controlled.