Training flight crash at Beirut International Airport

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

A training mission involving a crew upgrade evaluation ended in a fatal accident during the final approach phase at Beirut International Airport.

What happened

A flight departing from Beirut International Airport for a training mission resulted in a fatal accident. The purpose of the flight was to conduct a final check for a co-pilot being evaluated for promotion to captain. During the mission, the crew successfully completed two touch-and-go maneuvers.

However, while initiating an approach following these maneuvers, the aircraft type experienced instability, banking both left and right before entering an excessive nose-up attitude. This resulted in a high angle of attack combined with low airspeed, causing the aircraft to lose altitude. During this descent, the right wing made contact with the runway surface. The subsequent loss of control led to a crash that resulted in the total destruction of the plane. There were six fatalities among the crew members.

Findings

Investigations into the accident highlighted specific operational failures. It is believed that the pilot-in-command, who was supervising the trainee, failed to respond appropriately to a reduction in engine power during the final approach. Additionally, reports indicated a lack of effective coordination between the crew members during the critical stages of the flight.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an improper response to reduced engine power and insufficient crew coordination during the final approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1979-07-23 Boeing 707 accident near Beirut, Lebanon?

A training mission involving a crew upgrade evaluation ended in a fatal accident during the final approach phase at Beirut International Airport.

Were there any fatalities in the 1979-07-23 Boeing 707 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1979-07-23 involved a Boeing 707, registration OD-AFX, operated by TMA of Lebanon - Trans Mediterranean Airways, at Beirut, Lebanon.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by an improper response to reduced engine power and insufficient crew coordination during the final approach.

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