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27 fatalities

Beirut Airport Fire Incident: Aircraft Crashes into Sea (OD-ACK)

Beirut, LebanonFlight

On October 3, 1957, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration OD-ACK) operated by Lebanese International Airways - LIA was involved in an aviation accident near Beirut, Lebanon in flight. 27 people were killed. 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

An aircraft crashed into the sea 18 km off Beirut after a fire was reported shortly after takeoff. All 27 occupants were killed, and the plane was carrying gold.

Incident Overview A few minutes after departing from Beirut Airport, the flight crew reported a fire on board to air traffic control and decided to return to the airport. The aircraft was also carrying a load of gold at the time of the incident. ## Crash Details More than thirty minutes after takeoff, while at an altitude of 2,000 meters, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into the sea approximately 18 kilometers off the coast of Beirut. Debris from the aircraft was discovered the following morning. ## Casualties All 27 occupants on board the aircraft were killed in the crash. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, or exact date of the incident.

In-flight fire & smoke

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Oct 1957 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Beirut, Lebanon?

An aircraft crashed into the sea 18 km off Beirut after a fire was reported shortly after takeoff. All 27 occupants were killed, and the plane was carrying gold.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Oct 1957 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 27 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Oct 1957 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration OD-ACK, operated by Lebanese International Airways - LIA, at Beirut, Lebanon.

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