Zurich – Geneva – Athens – Bombay – Beijing
Flight / Schedule
Zurich – Geneva – Athens – Bombay – Beijing
Aircraft
Douglas DC-8Registration
HB-IDE
MSN
45919/312
Year of Manufacture
1967
Operator
SwissairDate
October 7, 1979 at 09:16 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
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 7, 1979 at 09:16 PM, Zurich – Geneva – Athens – Bombay – Beijing experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-8, operated by Swissair, 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 airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
154 people were known to be on board, 14 fatalities were recorded, 140 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 9.1%.
Crew on board: 10, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 144, passenger fatalities: 14, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to runway 15L was unstable. At an excessive speed of 150 knots, the four engine airplane landed about 800-900 meters down the runway 15L, on a wet surface. The crew failed to use all available braking systems and unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran at a speed of 40 knots, went through a perimeter fence and descended a ravine before coming to rest in flames. 20 passengers were injured while 120 other occupants escaped uninjured. Unfortunately, 14 passengers were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Aircraft reference details include registration HB-IDE, MSN 45919/312, year of manufacture 1967.
Fatalities
Total
14
Crew
0
Passengers
14
Other
0
Crash Summary
The approach to runway 15L was unstable. At an excessive speed of 150 knots, the four engine airplane landed about 800-900 meters down the runway 15L, on a wet surface. The crew failed to use all available braking systems and unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran at a speed of 40 knots, went through a perimeter fence and descended a ravine before coming to rest in flames. 20 passengers were injured while 120 other occupants escaped uninjured. Unfortunately, 14 passengers were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
10
Passengers On Board
144
Estimated Survivors
140
Fatality Rate
9.1%
Known people on board: 154
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Zurich – Geneva – Athens – Bombay – Beijing
Operator
SwissairFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Greece
Aircraft Details
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