Disappearance and crash of aircraft flying from Beirut to Dubai

82 fatalities • Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia • Flight

An aircraft traveling from Beirut to Dubai disappeared over the Saudi Arabian desert, resulting in the loss of all 82 people on board.

What happened

During a nighttime flight from Beirut toward Dubai, an aircraft cruising at 37,000 feet vanished from radar tracking at approximately 05:30 local time. No distress signals or emergency communications were transmitted by the crew prior to the disappearance. Following a search, wreckage was located in the Saudi desert, situated roughly 37 km northwest of Al Qaysumah. The debris field was spread across a large area, and it was confirmed that there were no survivors among the 82 occupants on board.

Findings

Investigations into the destruction of the aircraft concluded that an explosion occurred within the forward cargo hold. This detonation triggered a sudden explosive decompression of the cabin, which led to the complete structural disintegration of the aircraft during its high-altitude flight.

Probable cause

The destruction of the aircraft was caused by a bomb detonating in the front cargo compartment, leading to rapid decompression and structural failure.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1976-01-01 Boeing 720 accident near Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia?

An aircraft traveling from Beirut to Dubai disappeared over the Saudi Arabian desert, resulting in the loss of all 82 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1976-01-01 Boeing 720 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 82 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1976-01-01 involved a Boeing 720, registration OD-AFT, operated by Middle East Airlines - MEA, at Al Qaysumah, Saudi Arabia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The destruction of the aircraft was caused by a bomb detonating in the front cargo compartment, leading to rapid decompression and structural failure.

Loading the flight search…