Jeddah – Riyadh
Flight / Schedule
Jeddah – Riyadh
Aircraft
Douglas C-54 SkymasterRegistration
HZ-AAF
MSN
7474
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Saudi Arabian Airlines - SAUDIADate
September 25, 1959 at 02:05 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Jeddah Makkah l-Mukarramah (<U+0645><U+0643><U+0629> <U+0627><U+0644><U+0645><U+0643><U+0631><U+0645><U+0629>)
Region
Asia • Saudi Arabia
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On September 25, 1959 at 02:05 PM, Jeddah – Riyadh experienced a crash involving Douglas C-54 Skymaster, operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines - SAUDIA, with the event recorded near Jeddah Makkah l-Mukarramah (<U+0645><U+0643><U+0629> <U+0627><U+0644><U+0645><U+0643><U+0631><U+0645><U+0629>).
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
72 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 72 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 67, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The Saudia DC-4 plane took off from Jeddah for a flight to Riyadh. Immediately following lift-off, the aircraft climbed at an abnormal high rate. The flight crew were not able to push the control column forward, so full forward trim and a power reduction were used to avert a stall. The aircraft stalled however and descended at almost a 90° angle. Power was reapplied and the controls were pulled back, effecting a recovery at a very low altitude. The DC-4 then began to climb again, approaching another stall. This time the stall was averted by reducing power and a left turn. A return to the runway was impossible so a forced belly landing was carried out near the airport. The airplane was damaged beyond repair while all 72 occupants were evacuated safely.
Aircraft reference details include registration HZ-AAF, MSN 7474, year of manufacture 1944.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The Saudia DC-4 plane took off from Jeddah for a flight to Riyadh. Immediately following lift-off, the aircraft climbed at an abnormal high rate. The flight crew were not able to push the control column forward, so full forward trim and a power reduction were used to avert a stall. The aircraft stalled however and descended at almost a 90° angle. Power was reapplied and the controls were pulled back, effecting a recovery at a very low altitude. The DC-4 then began to climb again, approaching another stall. This time the stall was averted by reducing power and a left turn. A return to the runway was impossible so a forced belly landing was carried out near the airport. The airplane was damaged beyond repair while all 72 occupants were evacuated safely.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
5
Passengers On Board
67
Estimated Survivors
72
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 72
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Jeddah – Riyadh
Operator
Saudi Arabian Airlines - SAUDIAFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • Saudi Arabia
Aircraft Details
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