Tehran – Beirut

The Avro York plane carried out a freight flight from Beirut to Tehran via Kuwait. On the Kuwait-Tehran leg of the flight several test manoeuvres were carried out by a check pilot who was examining the pilot in command and co-pilot for renewal of their licenses. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion 11 km southeast of Karaj, west of Tehran. The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact and all four crew members were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Tehran – Beirut

Aircraft

Avro 685 York

Registration

OD-ACZ

MSN

1218

Year of Manufacture

1945

Date

March 15, 1963 at 09:10 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Karaj Alborz

Region

Asia • Iran

Coordinates

35.8336°, 50.9808°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On March 15, 1963 at 09:10 AM, Tehran – Beirut experienced a crash involving Avro 685 York, operated by Middle East Airlines - MEA, with the event recorded near Karaj Alborz.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a plain, valley crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The Avro York plane carried out a freight flight from Beirut to Tehran via Kuwait. On the Kuwait-Tehran leg of the flight several test manoeuvres were carried out by a check pilot who was examining the pilot in command and co-pilot for renewal of their licenses. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion 11 km southeast of Karaj, west of Tehran. The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact and all four crew members were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration OD-ACZ, MSN 1218, year of manufacture 1945.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 35.8336°, 50.9808°.

Fatalities

Total

4

Crew

4

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

The Avro York plane carried out a freight flight from Beirut to Tehran via Kuwait. On the Kuwait-Tehran leg of the flight several test manoeuvres were carried out by a check pilot who was examining the pilot in command and co-pilot for renewal of their licenses. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion 11 km southeast of Karaj, west of Tehran. The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact and all four crew members were killed.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

4

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 4

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Tehran – Beirut

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

Asia • Iran

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Avro 685 York

Registration

OD-ACZ

MSN

1218

Year of Manufacture

1945

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