Accident description
languages:
| Status: | |
| Date: | 12 JUN 1968 |
| Type: | Boeing 707-321C |
| Operator: | Pan American World Airways |
| Registration: | N798PA |
| C/n / msn: | 18790/394 |
| First flight: | 1964 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 10 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 53 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 63 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 1 km (0.6 mls) from Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU) (India)
 |
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Bangkok-Don Muang International Airport (BKK/VTBD), Thailand |
| Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU/VECC), India | |
| Flightnumber: | 1 |
PanAm Flight 1 was a round-the world flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to New York.
The Boeing 707, "Clipper Caribbean", was on a visual approach to Calcutta (CCU) when it struck a tree and crashed 1128m short of the runway.
Weather at Calcutta was poor with a 400 ft ceiling and less than two miles visibility in rain.
The crew of "Clipper Caribbean" misunderstood the pressure reported to them by air traffic control. They didn't set the QNH at 993 mb, but instead set the QFE at 29,93. This resulted in a difference of the indicated altitude of 360 feet. The airplane consequently descended below decision height with flaps extended to 50 degrees.
Events:
Sources:
» Flight International 12.12.1968 (p.968)
» NTSB
Statistics
23rd loss of a Boeing 707
14th worst accident involving a Boeing 707 (at the time)
42nd worst accident involving a Boeing 707 (currently)
37th worst accident in India (at the time)
81st worst accident in India (currently) » figures explained
14th worst accident involving a Boeing 707 (at the time)
42nd worst accident involving a Boeing 707 (currently)
37th worst accident in India (at the time)
81st worst accident in India (currently) » figures explained
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Bangkok-Don Muang International Airport (BKK/VTBD) to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU/VECC) as the crow flies is 1597 km (998 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
Distance from Bangkok-Don Muang International Airport (BKK/VTBD) to Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport (CCU/VECC) as the crow flies is 1597 km (998 miles).
