Flight Details
The aircraft departed London Airport at 0130 hours GMT on a scheduled service to Kastrup Airport, Copenhagen, carrying a crew of two and a cargo of mail, freight, and newspapers. The flight proceeded without incident until reaching the holding pattern over Radio Beacon Bella.
Incident Sequence
While holding over Radio Beacon Bella, three of the aircraft's four engines stopped. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, and a forced landing was executed at 0403 hours GMT, approximately 14 miles northwest of Kastrup.
Damage and Crew
The aircraft sustained considerable structural damage during the landing, but there was no fire. The two crew members were not injured.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the cause of the engine failures that led to the accident was the accumulation of ice on the engine cowlings. This ice buildup was allowed to occur due to a malfunctioning de-icing system. When the ice was eventually dislodged, lumps passed through the engines, causing partial flameout. The resultant loss of power triggered the auto-feathering system, which subsequently stopped the engines.