1967 BEA Flight 284 Crash (G-ARCO)

Flight Details and Departure from Athens On 11 October 1967, British European Airways (BEA) flight BE284 departed London-Heathrow Airport at 2145 hours, bound for Athens. The aircraft, registered G-ARCO, carried 38 passengers and 2,154 kg of freight, including 920 kg destined for Nicosia. It arrived at Athens at 0111 hours on 12 October and reached its parking area on the apron at approximately 0115 hours. Six passengers disembarked at Athens, and the flight was re-designated as Cyprus Airways flight CY 284 for the onward leg to Nicosia. Four passengers and the captain remained on board during refueling and servicing. The captain and two first officers continued with the aircraft, while the cabin staff was replaced with Cyprus Airways personnel. Twenty-seven additional passengers boarded at Athens for the flight to Nicosia. According to BEA and Olympic Airways staff at Athens, the aircraft's transit was normal. It was refueled to a total of approximately 17,000 kg, and only one minor defect, relating to the captain's beam compass, was recorded in the technical log. This defect was addressed by the ground crew. Baggage for passengers joining at Athens and freight were placed in holds 1 and 2, while baggage and freight from London to Nicosia remained in holds 4 and 5. The aircraft taxied out at 0227 hours and became airborne on schedule at 0231 hours. It was cleared by Athens Control to Nicosia on Upper Airway Red 19 to cruise at flight level (FL) 290. After takeoff, it climbed to 4,000 ft on the 180° radial of Athens VOR and then turned direct to Sounion, which it reported crossing at 0236 hours. At 0246 hours, the aircraft reported crossing R19B at FL 290 and estimated reaching Rhodes at 0303 hours. At 0258 hours, at an estimated position 35°04'N, 27°13'E, the aircraft passed a westbound BEA Comet flying at FL 280. Each aircraft saw the other, and the captain of the westbound aircraft stated that flight conditions were clear and smooth. G-ARCO passed Rhodes at 0304 hours and at 0316 hours reported passing R19C at FL 290, estimating it would pass abeam of Myrtou, Cyprus, at 0340 hours. This message was not received directly by Athens but was relayed by the westbound aircraft. G-ARCO was then cleared by Athens to change to the Nicosia FIR frequency. The recording of radio communications with Nicosia shows that G-ARCO called to establish contact at 0318 hours plus 9 seconds, at an estimated position 35°51'N, 30°17'E, approximately 15 nautical miles east of R19C. Nicosia replied with an instruction to go ahead with its message, but no further transmission was heard. Nicosia continued attempting to contact the aircraft without result, and overdue action was taken. At 0440 hours, Royal Air Force Search and Rescue aircraft took off from Akrotiri. At 0625 hours, wreckage from G-ARCO was sighted in the vicinity of R19C, the last reported position. None of the 66 occupants survived the crash.