Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740

Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740 was a Hajj pilgrimage flight of Pakistan International Airlines from Kano, Nigeria to Karachi, Pakistan with a stop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On 26 November 1979, the Boeing 707-340C serving the route crashed shortly after takeoff from Jeddah International Airport. All 156 people on board died. Before the crash, the pilot radioed a request to return to Jeddah because smoke was coming into the cabin and cockpit. 15 minutes later, Jeddah control tower heard the pilot shout "Mayday! Mayday!" before the radio went silent.[1] The cause of the crash was a fire.

Pakistan International Airlines Flight 740
The aircraft involved in the accident seen on 1 March 1972, while still leased to British Caledonian Airways.
Accident
Date26 November 1979 (1979-11-26)
SummaryIn-flight fire (source of fire's ignition undetermined)
SiteNear Taif, Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBoeing 707-340C
OperatorPakistan International Airlines
IATA flight No.PK740
ICAO flight No.PIA740
Call signPakistan 740
RegistrationAP-AWZ
Flight originMallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Nigeria
StopoverKing Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
DestinationJinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan
Occupants156
Passengers145
Crew11
Fatalities156
Survivors0

The crash is the third worst plane crash in Saudi Arabia and also the third worst crash of a Boeing 707.[2]

Other aircraft crashes caused by in-flight fires

References

  1. ↑ "NO SURVIVORS FOUND IN PAKISTANI PLANE: Most Victims in Saudi Air Disaster Were Returning from Mecca". A11, Page 11, Column 1: The New York Times. November 27, 1979. Retrieved 2 June 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 707-340C AP-AWZ Taif". Aviation Safety Network. ASN. Retrieved 2 June 2016.