Introduction
On 4 December 1974, Martinair Holland N.V. McDonnell Douglas DC-8-55F, registration PH-MBH, crashed into the 5th mountain of the Anjimalai range at Theberton Estate, Maskeliya, Sri Lanka. The accident occurred at approximately 1641 GMT at a height of 4,355 feet above mean sea level, about 40 nautical miles from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. The aircraft was destroyed.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft, serial number 45818, was built in 1966 and originally owned by Seaboard World Airlines. Martinair purchased it on 21 September 1973, and its Certificate of Airworthiness was valid until 14 December 1975. The aircraft had flown 35,613 total hours, with 3,347 hours under Martinair. It was powered by four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B engines, which had been replaced with KLM-standard engines during 1974. The crew consisted of Dutch nationals: Captain Hendrik Lamme (approximately 26,770 total flying hours, 4,000 on DC-8), a co-pilot, and a flight engineer. The captain held a valid Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and passed his last proficiency check on 31 October 1974.
Flight History
The flight was a non-scheduled transport service from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a programmed technical stop at Bandaranaike International Airport. It took off from Surabaya at approximately 1200 GMT on 4 December 1974. At 1616.45 GMT, the crew contacted Bandaranaike Approach Control, reporting 130 nautical miles out at 35,000 feet. After receiving weather information, they were instructed to contact Colombo Area Control on 119.1 MHz for descent clearance.
Accident Sequence
Area Control cleared the aircraft to descend from 35,600 feet and handed it back to Approach Control at 1634.14 GMT. The aircraft contacted Approach Control at 1638.10 GMT, reporting out of 7,000 feet for 6,000 feet at a distance of 14 miles. Approach Control cleared the aircraft to 2,000 feet and instructed the crew to report the Katunayake Non-Directional Beacon (Kilo Alpha Tango) or the airfield in sight. The crew acknowledged, but no further communications were received.
Eyewitnesses in the Castlereigh, Bogawanthalawa, and Agrapatana areas reported seeing the aircraft flying at an unusually low altitude. The engines sounded normal, and no fire was observed in flight. Residents near the crash site heard the sound of the aircraft exploding upon impact. The wreckage was found on the 5th mountain of the Anjimalai range at Maskeliya, with the aircraft completely destroyed.
Investigation
The Department of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka conducted the investigation under the Chief Inspector of Accidents. The Netherlands (state of registry) and Indonesia (nationals of passengers) sent representatives. The United States (state of manufacture) indicated it would participate only if a technical deficiency were suspected. A public notice for representations was published. The flight data recorder was examined, and the wreckage was inspected at the site. The accident was classified as a collision with rising terrain during the en-route descent to the primary approach facility.