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42 fatalities

Aircraft Destroyed on Approach to Ankara-Esenboğa Airport (OY-KRB)

Ankara-Esenboğa, TurkeyLanding (descent or approach)

On January 19, 1960, a Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle (registration OY-KRB) operated by Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS was involved in an aviation accident near Ankara-Esenboğa, Turkey during landing or approach. 42 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident occurred because of an unintentional descent below the authorized minimum flight altitude during final approach to Esenboğa Airport. The reason for this descent could not be ascertained due to lack of conclusive evidence. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck a hill 9.6 km short of runway 03 at Ankara-Esenboğa Airport during an instrument approach, killing all 42 occupants. The cause of the descent below the glide path could not be determined.

Accident Overview During an instrument approach to Ankara-Esenboğa Airport, an aircraft descended to an altitude of 3,500 feet while heading 031. The aircraft struck a hill located 9.6 km short of the runway 03 threshold. The airplane was destroyed upon impact, and all 42 occupants were killed. ## Investigation Findings The aircraft passed below the glide path for an unknown reason and was 1,100 feet too low at the time of the accident. The official investigation determined that the accident occurred because of an unintentional descent below the authorized minimum flight altitude during final approach to Esenboğa Airport. The reason for this descent could not be ascertained due to a lack of conclusive evidence.

Probable cause

The accident occurred because of an unintentional descent below the authorized minimum flight altitude during final approach to Esenboğa Airport. The reason for this descent could not be ascertained due to lack of conclusive evidence.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

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