Narrative:
The Comet, on a flight from Algiers, struck sand dunes at 395 feet while making an ADF approach procedure turn for runway 18.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The probable cause of the accident was the decision of the pilot-in-command to land while the prevailing visibility was below the Airline's minimum for that airport at night, and for undetermined reasons, the aircraft was lower than the altitude it ought to have been for an ADF approach to the runway in use.
The weather was a contributing factor.
accident date: 02-01-1971
type: de Havilland DH-106 Comet 4C
registration: SU-ALC
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 2 January 1971 |
| Type: |  de Havilland DH-106 Comet 4C |
| Operator: | United Arab Airlines - UAA |
| Registration: | SU-ALC |
| MSN: | 6439 |
| First flight: | 1960 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 25592 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 8 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 8 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 7 km (4.4 mls) N of Tripoli International Airport (TIP) ( Libya)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Algiers-Dar el Beida Airport (ALG/DAAG), Algeria |
| Tripoli International Airport (TIP/HLLT), Libya | |
| Flightnumber: | 844 |
The Comet, on a flight from Algiers, struck sand dunes at 395 feet while making an ADF approach procedure turn for runway 18.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: The probable cause of the accident was the decision of the pilot-in-command to land while the prevailing visibility was below the Airline's minimum for that airport at night, and for undetermined reasons, the aircraft was lower than the altitude it ought to have been for an ADF approach to the runway in use.
The weather was a contributing factor.
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 118-AN/88 (131-138)Photos
accident date: 02-01-1971
type: de Havilland DH-106 Comet 4C
registration: SU-ALC
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 Algiers-Dar el Beida Airport to Tripoli International Airport as the crow flies is 1006 km (629 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Algiers-Dar el Beida Airport to Tripoli International Airport as the crow flies is 1006 km (629 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.
languages: 
Libya
Share
DH-106 Comet
Libya- 4th worst accident (at the time)
- 9th worst accident (currently)
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation