Narrative:
Flight MH684 took off from Singapore at 18:53 for a flight to Kuala Lumpur. Approaching Kuala Lumpur, the aircraft was cleared for an ILS runway 15 approach. At 19:20 RVR was 450 m in heavy rain showers. Though below the company minimum of 800 m, the captain elected to continue the approach, hoping to see the runway. The captain took over control from the first officer, shortly before entering an area of heavy rain showers. Immediately after selecting the windscreen wipers 'on', the radio altimeter sounded. Less then 30 seconds later, the Airbus contacted some trees 2 km short of the runway and the right main gear struck the ground and continued for 436 m. The aircraft then lifted off for 36 m before striking a stream embankment and it slid for 109 m before coming to rest, 1200 m short of the runway. The landing gear and both engines were torn off and a fire erupted, destroying the cabin and cockpit roof.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The flight crew's failure to follow procedural requirements coupled with insufficient monitoring during the approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and that the approach was continued to below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without having positive visual references."
» International Journal of Aviation Safety, Sept. 1985 (218-220)
accident date: 18-12-1983
type: Airbus A300B4-120
registration: OY-KAA
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | Sunday 18 December 1983 |
| Time: | 19:38 |
| Type: |  Airbus A300B4-120 |
| Operating for: | Malaysian Airlines System - MAS |
| Leased from: | Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS |
| Registration: | OY-KAA |
| MSN: | 122 |
| First flight: | 1980-10-07 (3 years 2 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3907 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney JT9D-59A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 14 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 233 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 247 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 1,2 km (0.8 mls) NNW of Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL) ( Malaysia)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Singapore-Changi International Airport (SIN/WSSS), Singapore |
| Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL/WMKK), Malaysia | |
| Flightnumber: | MH684 |
Flight MH684 took off from Singapore at 18:53 for a flight to Kuala Lumpur. Approaching Kuala Lumpur, the aircraft was cleared for an ILS runway 15 approach. At 19:20 RVR was 450 m in heavy rain showers. Though below the company minimum of 800 m, the captain elected to continue the approach, hoping to see the runway. The captain took over control from the first officer, shortly before entering an area of heavy rain showers. Immediately after selecting the windscreen wipers 'on', the radio altimeter sounded. Less then 30 seconds later, the Airbus contacted some trees 2 km short of the runway and the right main gear struck the ground and continued for 436 m. The aircraft then lifted off for 36 m before striking a stream embankment and it slid for 109 m before coming to rest, 1200 m short of the runway. The landing gear and both engines were torn off and a fire erupted, destroying the cabin and cockpit roof.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The flight crew's failure to follow procedural requirements coupled with insufficient monitoring during the approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and that the approach was continued to below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without having positive visual references."
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» ICAO Circular 196-AN/119 (142-156)» International Journal of Aviation Safety, Sept. 1985 (218-220)
Photos
accident date: 18-12-1983
type: Airbus A300B4-120
registration: OY-KAA
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).
Distance from Singapore-Changi International Airport to Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport as the crow flies is 296 km (185 miles).
languages: 
Malaysia
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Airbus A300
Malaysia- 27th worst accident (at the time)
- 40th worst accident (currently)
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