Night Approach Accident at Dhahran (54-0165)

Incident Overview and Casualties A four-engine aircraft was operating a flight from Charleston to Dhahran when it struck the ground during a night approach. The crash occurred one kilometer short of the runway, destroying the aircraft. Twelve occupants were killed and 26 others were injured. The aircraft was carrying high-ranking officers from the US, Pakistan, and Iranian Army. ## Weather and Operational Conditions The approach to Dhahran was conducted at night under marginal weather conditions. At the time of the accident, scattered clouds and limited visibility were present. Six minutes before the accident, visibility was estimated at three kilometers, with a northwest wind at 5 knots. ## Official Findings The investigation could not determine the exact cause of the accident with certainty. However, the official findings noted that the Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) system was inoperative at the time of the accident.