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Last updated: 19 January 2021
Status:
Date:Thursday 26 October 1989
Time:18:55
Type:Silhouette image of generic B732 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing 737-209
Operator:China Airlines
Registration: B-180
C/n / msn: 23795/1319
First flight: 1986-12-03 (2 years 11 months)
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A
Crew:Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
Passengers:Fatalities: 47 / Occupants: 47
Total:Fatalities: 54 / Occupants: 54
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:5,5 km (3.4 mls) N of Hualien Airport (HUN) (   Taiwan)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Hualien Airport (HUN/RCYU), Taiwan
Destination airport:Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (TPE/RCTP), Taiwan
Flightnumber:CI204
Narrative:
China Airlines Flight 204 collided with a mountain in the Chiashan mountain range at an elevation of 7000 feet, 3 minutes after takeoff.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: The crew used the climbout procedure of the wrong runway, causing the aircraft to make a left instead of right turn.

Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain

Sources:
» Aviation Week & Space Technology 30 October 1989 (p.32)
» Flight International 6-12 Dec. 1989


Photos

photo of Boeing-737-209-B-180
accident date: 26-10-1989
type: Boeing 737-209
registration: B-180
 

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 Hualien Airport to Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek International Airport as the crow flies is 123 km (77 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of 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 737-200

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  • 46th loss
  • 28th fatal accident
  • 12th worst accident (at the time)
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 Taiwan
  • 3rd worst accident (at the time)
  • 5th worst accident (currently)
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