What happened
On a special mission traveling from Ankara to London via Rome, the TC-SEV, a Boeing 727, was diverted from London Heathrow to Gatwick due to low visibility. After departing Rome earlier that day, the aircraft passed Abbeville and contacted London Airways at 15:56. Following instructions from the London Airport Commandant, the crew proceeded toward the Epsom Radio Range station.
At approximately 16:27, the flight moved toward Mayfield, the holding point for Gatwick. Air traffic control provided instructions for an ILS approach to runway 09, noting weather conditions characterized by mist and a visibility of 1.1 nautical miles. While navigating the Mayfield NDB at 4,000 feet, the pilot received instructions to turn to a heading of 280 and descend to 2,000 feet, followed by a further descent clearance to 1,500 feet.
During the turn onto the approach path, the aircraft drifted slightly off the centerline. Although the crew confirmed they could maintain the ILS approach at 5nm from the runway, the aircraft disappeared from radio contact after being instructed to switch to tower frequency. The plane struck treetops near Jordan's Wood, approximately 5 km from the runway threshold and 550 feet north of the centerline. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate as it descended through the trees at a shallow angle. The wreckage came to rest roughly 100 yards after the initial impact and subsequently caught fire.
The accident resulted in 14 fatalities, including five crew members, while the Turkish Prime Minister and nine other passengers survived.
Findings
Official investigations were unable to identify a specific technical malfunction or error in ground services. However, investigators concluded that the accident was the result of controlled flight into terrain.