You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Thursday 28 July 1994 |
| Time: | 07:00 |
| Type: |  Boeing 747-238B |
| Owner/operator: | United Airlines |
| Registration: | N160UA |
| MSN: | 21237/285 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1976 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 285 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor, repaired |
| Location: | Near London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO/KSFO) |
| London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The aircraft took off from San Francisco at 2100 hrs and, at 0645 hrs, entered the Bovingdon holding
pattern, where the commander, who was the handling pilot, noted that there was some rain and
turbulence over the beacon. The seat belt sign was on and the passengers were seated when, at FL100 over the beacon, there was a loud boom' and the aircraft shuddered. The commander instructed the flight engineer to inform the passengers that there had been a lightning strike but that there was no cause for anxiety. As nothing appeared to be wrong with the aircraft handling characteristics, the crew did not report the accident to ATC and the flight progressed normally until, on final approach, although both ILS glide-slope displays functioned properly, neither of the aircraft's localizer receivers appeared to receive any signal. However, the crew was in visual contact with the runway and able to carry out a non-instrument approach and landing.
When the crew disembarked, the commander noted that the top cap of the vertical stabilizer was
missing
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ed48e5274a1317000187/Boeing_747-238__N160UA_10-94.pdf
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/5899135 (Photo)
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Apr-2025 12:13 | Justanormalperson | Added |
| 15-Apr-2025 12:14 | ASN | Updated [Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation