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192 fatalities

Fatal Crash of Three-Engine Aircraft During Local Training Mission (B-274)

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 pilot-in-command had limited experience and was not familiar with the type of aircraft. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A three-engine aircraft crashed into a factory near Beijing-Xijiao Airport during a local training mission, killing all 12 occupants and at least 180 people on the ground.

Incident Overview and Casualties A three-engine aircraft departed Beijing-Xijiao Airport for a local training mission. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft lost height and crashed into a factory located near the airport in a large explosion. All 12 occupants were killed, and at least 180 people in the factory also died. ## Official Findings The official investigation reported that the pilot-in-command had limited experience and was not familiar with the type of aircraft involved. No specific aircraft type, registration, operator, or date was provided in the source material.

Probable cause

The pilot-in-command had limited experience and was not familiar with the type of aircraft.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Mar 1979 Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident accident near Beijing-Xijiao, China?

A three-engine aircraft crashed into a factory near Beijing-Xijiao Airport during a local training mission, killing all 12 occupants and at least 180 people on the ground.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Mar 1979 Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 192 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Mar 1979 involved a Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident, registration B-274, operated by CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China, at Beijing-Xijiao, China.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot-in-command had limited experience and was not familiar with the type of aircraft.

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