Saudi Arabia’s Third Deadliest Air Crash: Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740
Air travel is one of the safest modes of transport, with an average of only 0.34 accidents per 100,000 departures on large commercial aircraft between 2015 and 2020. However, this safety has come at a high cost, as the aviation industry has learned from the tragedies that have occurred around the world. The lives lost in these accidents have taught us valuable lessons, reminding us that life can be unpredictable in both positive and negative ways.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight 740, regarded to be one of worst air crash that had happened on Saudi Arabia’s soil, a country located in the Middle East, known for its vast oil reserves, Islamic heritage, and conservative social customs, the crash now accounts to be the third most deadliest air crash.
Pakistan International Airlines flight 740 was a regularly scheduled flight that originated in Kano, Nigeria, made a stopover at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and then continued on to the airline’s hub at Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi, Pakistan. The flight was carrying mostly passengers who intended to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a mandatory religious duty for physically and financially capable Muslims. Jeddah is a major hub destination for both commercial and tourism sectors, and is located just a short drive from Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. Therefore, many airlines, including PIA flight 740, connect to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
PIA flight 740 was a Boeing 707–340C with registeration AP-AWZ and delivered to PIA as AP-AWB in August 1970. The Boeing 707–340C was a specialized variant of the Boeing 707 designed to meet the unique needs of airlines and cargo operators that required a convertible aircraft for both passenger and cargo operations.
It was re-registered as AP-AWZ in September 1972, right after being leased out to British Caledonian Airways. On the day of the crash, the flight was carrying 156 souls on board of which 11 were crew. Of the 156 people aboard, 111 were Pakistani pilgrims returning from Mecca. Furthermore, they were 43 other Pakistanis, including the crew of 11, and two people of unknown nationality reported by an airline spokesperson to at New York Times on November 27, 1979, a day after the crash.
More about PIA 740!
On November 26, 1979, Pakistan International Airlines flight 740, a Boeing 707 aircraft, departed King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying 156 passengers and crew members, many of whom had just completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The passengers were eagerly looking forward to reuniting with their families and loved ones after completing this holy journey.
Tragically, their hopes and dreams were shattered when the plane crashed into the mountains at an elevation of 3000ft, just 48 km from the city of Taif. The crash claimed the lives of all 156 people on board, leaving behind devastated families and communities.
The flight had originated from Kano, Nigeria, with a stopover at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, before continuing on to its final destination, Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan. Jeddah, being a major hub for both commercial and tourism sectors, is a popular destination for many airlines, including PIA, to connect to King Abdulaziz International Airport.
During the flight, just 18 minutes after takeoff, a stewardess reported to the crew about a rising fire near the aft cabin passenger door. The crew immediately descended to FL300 and cleared to flight level 4000, and then 34 mins after departure, declared Mayday, an international distress signal used by aircraft and ships to indicate a life-threatening emergency situation, typically transmitted by radio to alert authorities and request immediate assistance. Despite their efforts, the aircraft was lost and crashed, becoming one of the deadliest air crashes in history.
According to officials in Jeddah reported to the New York Times, three helicopters belonging to the Saudi Arabian Air Force were deployed to the mountainous region located 30 miles north of Taif city after an aircraft crash occurred there. The crash had caused debris to scatter over an area spanning three miles. Despite the rescue efforts, no survivors were found.
What Happened and the Cause!
As the distress of the stewardess was taken into account, the fire quicky spread across the cabin as the crew struggled to divert back to Jeddah. Soon, with the intense fire blazing, the cabin was quickly led to troubled panic amongst the passengers and leading to the incapacitation of the crew, subsquently leading to the loss of control of the aircraft.
The investigation although, did not lead to a conclusive evidence to the origins of the inflight cabin fire, however, a possible scenario of pressure differential of the aircraft may have led to a leakage of kerosene/gasoline stove carried by passengers was considered.
In the early days of aviation, some aircraft were equipped with stoves to allow passengers to cook their own meals. These stoves were typically found on long-distance flights, where passengers would be in the air for many hours and would need sustenance. Hence the passengers having a stove as their possession.
The second possibility of an electrical fire was also considered, however considering the advanced avionics and electrical circuit protection devices of the Boeing 707, an extensive and widespread fire could not have had resulted, hence was ruled out.
The final possibility could be a possible sabotage by terrorist group or someone on board, however, no conclusive evidence was also not found not to that regards. The flight could also had been shot down if entered a no-fly zone.
Overall, the mystery of the PIA flight 470 remains and the souls lost on the night of November 26, 1979, would never be forgotten. Like many air accidents around the world, which have led us to understanding the mistakes, faults and much more, this particular incident had led to Advisory Circular 120–80, which serves as a resource for air carriers to develop and implement effective CRM training programs that can enhance safety and prevent accidents in the aviation industry.
Sources: NewYorkTimes, AicraftSafetyNetwork, Wikiplacemarks
