Accident Overview
Minutes after departing from runway 13 at Hong Kong-Kai Tak Airport, a four-engine aircraft named 'City of Ayudhya' collided with a mountain slope located between Mount Butler and Mount Parker on Hong Kong Island. All 24 occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the crash.
The Flight
The aircraft was in its initial climb phase when it struck the terrain. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were marginal, with poor visibility due to low clouds. The investigation determined that, for unknown reasons, the aircraft was climbing at an insufficient altitude to clear the mountainous terrain.
Investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances of the accident but were unable to determine a specific cause for the aircraft's low altitude. The report noted that the visibility was poor and that the aircraft should have been at a higher altitude during the climb after takeoff from runway 13. No further causal factors were identified in the official source.
Conclusion
The accident resulted in the complete destruction of the aircraft and the loss of all 24 lives on board. The insufficient climb altitude, combined with poor visibility due to low clouds, led to the collision with the mountain. The reason for the inadequate altitude remains unknown.