What happened
A scheduled passenger service traveling from Kano to Karachi, which included a stopover at Jeddah-King Abdulaziz Airport, encountered a severe emergency during the night. The aircraft, a Boeing 707, was operating with 145 passengers and 11 crew members on board. After departing Jeddah at 0129LT under favorable weather conditions, the flight reached a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.
During the cruise phase, the captain notified air traffic control regarding an active fire inside the cabin. Controllers authorized a descent from 37,000 feet to 30,000 feet, and subsequently permitted the crew to descend to 4,000 feet as necessary. Approximately seventeen minutes after the initial report, the situation escalated significantly as thick smoke filled the passenger cabin, prompting the crew to declare an emergency.
While the flight crew attempted to perform an emergency landing in a desert location, the aircraft struck the ground and broke apart upon impact. The wreckage was located in a rocky area roughly 48 km north of At Ta'if. There were 156 fatalities among the total number of occupants.
Findings
Investigations concluded that an intense fire within the cabin area served as the primary factor in the accident. The rapid spread of the flames caused widespread panic among passengers and filled the cockpit with smoke, which eventually led to the incapacitation of the flight crew.
While the exact origin of the fire remained undetermined, investigators considered several theories. One possibility involved a leaking stove used by pilgrims that may have leaked fuel due to pressure differentials. An electrical fire was also evaluated, though the rapid spread of such a fire was deemed unlikely given the aircraft's circuit protection. Investigators also looked into potential sabotage but found no evidence of incendiary devices.