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Loss of Both Right Engines During Climb from Luxembourg to Kano (5N-MAS)

Istres-Le Tubé, FranceLanding (descent or approach)

On March 31, 1992, a Boeing 707 (registration 5N-MAS) operated by Trans-Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Istres-Le Tubé, France during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from the fracture of the right inboard engine pylon fitting, causing the engine to hit and tear away the outboard engine. The AD imposing periodic monitoring of the midspar fittings proved insufficiently efficient. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 707
Photo: USAF / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A freight aircraft lost both right engines after a pylon fracture during a climb from Luxembourg to Kano. The crew diverted to Istres, where the aircraft landed safely after a 2,300-meter roll.

Flight Details and Initial Incident On 07.14 hrs, the aircraft departed Luxembourg aerodrome under an IFR flight plan, bound for Kano, Nigeria, carrying freight. The peak load was 150 tonnes, comprising 38 tonnes of freight and 116,000 pounds of fuel. The crew consisted of a captain, first officer, and flight engineer, with two passengers: a maintenance man and a cargo supervisor. While climbing from flight level 290 to 330 over the Drôme province in turbulent IMC conditions, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence and a double bang. It suddenly rolled right, and the captain disengaged the autopilot to maintain control. Fire warnings for engines 3 and 4 sounded, and the throttles for these engines moved forward on their own. A cabin depressurization warning also activated and continued intermittently until landing.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from the fracture of the right inboard engine pylon fitting, causing the engine to hit and tear away the outboard engine. The AD imposing periodic monitoring of the midspar fittings proved insufficiently efficient.
Structural failure

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Mar 1992 Boeing 707 accident near Istres-Le Tubé, France?

A freight aircraft lost both right engines after a pylon fracture during a climb from Luxembourg to Kano. The crew diverted to Istres, where the aircraft landed safely after a 2,300-meter roll.

Were there any fatalities in the 31 Mar 1992 Boeing 707 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Mar 1992 involved a Boeing 707, registration 5N-MAS, operated by Trans-Air Services, at Istres-Le Tubé, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident resulted from the fracture of the right inboard engine pylon fitting, causing the engine to hit and tear away the outboard engine. The AD imposing periodic monitoring of the midspar fittings proved insufficiently efficient.

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