7 fatalities

1988-08-31: Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident (B-2218) — CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China — Hong Kong-Kai Tak, China

Hong Kong-Kai Tak, ChinaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 31, 1988, a Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident (registration B-2218) operated by CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China was involved in an aviation accident near Hong Kong-Kai Tak, China during landing or approach. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: There was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident. It appears probable that, having converted to visual references at some point prior to Decision Height, the commander elected to continue the approach despite the fact that heavy rain had… 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 1781214942Data APIEditorial standards

A Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident 2E, registered B-2218, was destroyed in a landing accident at Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, while operating CAAC Flight 301 from Guangzhou. The aircraft struck approach lights, lost its right main landing gear, veered off the runway, and came to rest in the bay. Seven occupants were killed.

Accident Overview

On an unspecified date, a Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident 2E passenger jet, registered B-2218, was operating CAAC Flight 301 from Guangzhou-Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Hong Kong-Kai Tak International Airport (HKG). The aircraft carried 78 passengers and seven crew members. During the landing approach, the aircraft sustained severe damage and was written off.

Sequence of Events

As the aircraft neared runway 31, the right outboard trailing edge wing flap struck the innermost approach light. Subsequently, the right main landing gear tires hit the facing edge of the runway promontory, causing the right main gear to be torn from the wing. The aircraft became airborne again and contacted the ground approximately 600 meters down the runway. It then veered off the runway to the right, yawed, and slid diagonally across the grassed runway strip. The nosewheel and left main gear collapsed. The aircraft continued across the parallel taxiway and slid sideways over the edge of the promontory into Kowloon Bay.

Final Position and Damage

The aircraft came to rest in the water with the rear extremity of the fuselage supported on a ledge of stone blocks jutting out from the promontory. Part of the forward fuselage, including the flight compartment, was partially detached from the remainder of the fuselage and hung down at a steep angle into the water, supported only by control cables and secondary structure. A fire started in the center engine intake duct. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Weather Conditions

Weather at the time of the accident was poor, with rain and fog reducing visibility to 450 meters.

Casualties

Seven occupants were killed: six crew members and one passenger.

Probable cause

There was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident. It appears probable that, having converted to visual references at some point prior to Decision Height, the commander elected to continue the approach despite the fact that heavy rain had caused a sudden marked deterioration in the visual references in the final stages. There was no conclusive evidence that the aircraft encountered significant windshear on the approach, but given the meteorological conditions that existed at the time it cannot be ruled out, and therefore windshear may have been a contributory factor in destabilising the approach.