Kerkyra - Athens
Flight / Schedule
Kerkyra - Athens
Aircraft
NAMC YS-11Registration
SX-BBQ
MSN
2155
Year of Manufacture
1971
Operator
Olympic AirwaysDate
October 21, 1972 at 09:30 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Athens-Ellinikon Attica / <U+0391>tt<U+03B9><U+03BA><U+03AE>
Region
Europe • Greece
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On October 21, 1972 at 09:30 PM, Kerkyra - Athens experienced a crash involving NAMC YS-11, operated by Olympic Airways, with the event recorded near Athens-Ellinikon Attica / <U+0391>tt<U+03B9><U+03BA><U+03AE>.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
53 people were known to be on board, 37 fatalities were recorded, 16 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 69.8%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 49, passenger fatalities: 36, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. Following an uneventful flight from Kerkyra Airport, the crew started the descent in poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to the night. On final approach in stormy weather, the airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the sea about 5 km offshore. 16 occupants were rescued while 37 others, including a crew members were killed. The wreckage sank by a depth of 12 meters but was recovered a day later and brought back onto the beach.
Aircraft reference details include registration SX-BBQ, MSN 2155, year of manufacture 1971.
Fatalities
Total
37
Crew
1
Passengers
36
Other
0
Crash Summary
Following an uneventful flight from Kerkyra Airport, the crew started the descent in poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to the night. On final approach in stormy weather, the airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the sea about 5 km offshore. 16 occupants were rescued while 37 others, including a crew members were killed. The wreckage sank by a depth of 12 meters but was recovered a day later and brought back onto the beach.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
49
Estimated Survivors
16
Fatality Rate
69.8%
Known people on board: 53
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Kerkyra - Athens
Operator
Olympic AirwaysFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Europe • Greece
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Blackburn Aeroplane %26 Motor Company
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo
In November, the Australian government offered a price of 10,000 dollars to any Australian airmen who will be able to fly from England to Australia within 30 days. The crew departed Hounslow Heath Airport (some 3 km southeast of Heathrow) on 21NOV1919. While overflying the island of Crete, in Greece, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing in an open field located near Suda, east of Chania. The aircraft impacted ground and came to rest against a stonewall. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned.
Martinsyde Ltd
Martinsyde Type A
In November, the Australian government offered a price of 10,000 dollars to any Australian airmen who will be able to fly from England to Australia within 30 days. The crew departed Hounslow Heath Airport (some 3 km southeast of Heathrow) on 12DEC1919. While approaching Kerkyra, Greece, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea, killing both pilots.
Aero Espresso Italiana
CMASA Wal
While cruising over the Ionian Sea, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and decided to make a precautionary landing off Kerkira. Upon landing in rough sea, the aircraft was hit by big waves and came to rest. One crew member and one passenger were killed while seven other occupants were injured.
Aero Espresso Italiana
CMASA Wal
The seaplane departed Istanbul at 1000LT on a mail flight to Athens with a crew of five on board. At 1230LT, the radio operator reported his position over Lesbos Island. About 30 minutes later, the crew encountered engine problems and attempted to ditch the aircraft in the Aegean Sea off the Ágios Efstrátios Island. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the 5 crew members was ever found, among them Captain Achille Rossi.
Hellenic Air Force - Elleniki Polemiki Aeroporia
Breguet 19
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both crew members among them Stefanos Tzagias, pilot.
Aero Espresso Italiana
CMASA Wal
The seaplane departed Istanbul on a flight to Brindisi with intermediate stops in Mitilíni (Lesbos Island) and Athens, carrying 9 passengers and a crew of three. After the engine got started, the crew was ready for takeoff from the bay of Mitilíni when an engine exploded and caught fire. All 12 occupants were able to evacuate the cabin safely and the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.