Four-Engine Aircraft Crash in the Ionian Sea (N8734)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A four-engine aircraft departed Athens-Ellinikon Airport at 1112 local time on a scheduled flight to Rome. This segment was the final leg before the aircraft was to continue on a transatlantic flight to New York. The aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 28,000 feet when it lost control, entered a steep dive, and crashed into the Ionian Sea approximately 80 kilometers west of Kefalonia Island, Greece. ## Casualties and Debris No survivors were found among the 88 occupants on board. Some debris was recovered floating on the water's surface. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the detonation of an explosive device in the aft cargo compartment buckled and damaged the cabin floor. This damage stretched, and possibly broke, one or more control cables for the elevator and rudder systems. The resulting displacement of the control surfaces caused a violent pitch-up and yaw, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable.