ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-249F N807FT Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Sunday 19 February 1989
Time:06:36
Type:Silhouette image of generic B742 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing 747-249F
Operator:Flying Tiger Line
Registration: N807FT
MSN: 21828/408
First flight: 1979-11-01 (9 years 4 months)
Total airframe hrs:34000
Cycles:9000
Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q
Crew:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:12 km (7.5 mls) from Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL) (   Malaysia)
Crash site elevation: 180 m (591 feet) amsl
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Singapore-Changi International Airport (SIN/WSSS), Singapore
Destination airport:Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL/WMKK), Malaysia
Flightnumber: 66
Narrative:
The Boeing, named "Thomas Haywood", was less than half loaded with textiles, computer software and mail when it departed Singapore. Approaching Kuala Lumpur, the crew were cleared to route direct to the Kayell (KL) beacon for a runway 33 approach. While on the NDB approach, the crew were cleared to "...descend two four zero zero..." which was interpreted by the crew as "...to 400...". The aircraft descended below minimum altitude and crashed into a hillside at 600 feet/180 m msl just before reaching the Kayell NDB, where minimum descent height was 2400 feet. The Boeing hit treetops and started to break up until bursting into flames.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: Non-standard phraseology was used by Kuala Lumpur ATC, causing the crew to misinterpret the instructions.

Classification:
Language/communication problems
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain

Sources:
» Aviation Week & Space Technology 27.02.89 (24)
» Flight International 17-12 January 1990 (p.44)
» ICAO Adrep Summary


Photos

photo of Boeing-747-249F-N807FT
accident date: 19-02-1989
type: Boeing 747-249F
registration: N807FT
photo of Boeing-747-249F-N807FT
accident date: 19-02-1989
type: Boeing 747-249F
registration: N807FT
 

Video, social media

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 Singapore-Changi International Airport to Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport as the crow flies is 296 km (185 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.
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Boeing 747

  • 1574 built
  • 19th loss
  • 13th fatal accident
  • 13th worst accident (at the time)
  • 23rd worst accident (currently)
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 Malaysia
  • 21st worst accident (at the time)
  • 26th worst accident (currently)
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