192 fatalities

1979-03-14: Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident (B-274) — CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China — Beijing-Xijiao, China

Beijing-Xijiao, ChinaTakeoff (climb)

On March 14, 1979, a Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident (registration B-274) operated by CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China was involved in an aviation accident near Beijing-Xijiao, China during takeoff. 192 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was attributed to the pilot-in-command's lack of sufficient training and familiarity with the aircraft model. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781225491Data APIEditorial standards

A training flight involving a three-engine airplane crashed into a factory near Beijing-Xijiao Airport, resulting in massive casualties.

What happened

A training mission departing from Beijing-Xijiao Airport ended in a catastrophic accident during the early stages of flight. Shortly after the three-engine airplane commenced its initial climb, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude. The plane subsequently struck a factory building situated in close proximity to the airfield, triggering a massive explosion.

The impact and subsequent fire resulted in an immense loss of life. Records indicate that all 12 occupants on board the aircraft perished in the accident. Furthermore, the crash caused the deaths of at least 180 people located within the factory at the time of the collision.

Findings

Investigations into the disaster highlighted issues regarding flight operations and crew proficiency. The primary factor identified was that the pilot-in-command possessed limited experience and lacked familiarity with this specific aircraft type.

Probable cause

The accident was attributed to the pilot-in-command's lack of sufficient training and familiarity with the aircraft model.