SA de Transport Aérien Flight 730
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SA de Transport Aérien Flight 730 was operated by a Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle 10R, bearing the registration HB-ICK, which crashed during its final approach to Funchal Airport, Madeira, on December 18, 1977.
The cockpit crew consisted of two captains: the designated pilot in command, who had limited experience with Funchal's difficult airport environment, was undergoing training from a more seasoned captain serving as co-pilot. Originally, this instructional flight was scheduled for daylight hours; however, delays resulted in the aircraft arriving after nightfall.
This non-regular service departed from Zurich and made a stop at Geneva Cointrin International Airport at 14:30 UTC. A hydraulic pump malfunction caused a departure delay, with the flight eventually taking off at 16:26.
At 19:38, the crew established contact with Madeira air traffic control while at the ROSE reporting point at , receiving clearance to descend to . By 19:55, they reported passing over Porto Santo island at and continued their descent to 5000 feet before switching to Funchal approach frequency.
Two minutes later, at 19:57, Funchal approach cleared them to descend further to , providing a QNH setting of 1014.0 hPa. Despite losing visual contact with the runway, the crew descended below the authorized circling altitude. The aircraft was configured with landing gear extended and flaps set to 20 degrees when it impacted the sea.
The accident resulted in the deaths of thirty-five passengers and one flight attendant, many of whom became trapped inside the flooding fuselage. Survivors—including both pilots—were rescued by local fishermen and emergency personnel or managed to swim to shore.
Investigation concluded that pilot error stemming from inadequate coordination and sensory misperception caused the crash. This tragedy marked the second fatal incident at Funchal within a month; previously, on November 19, TAP Portugal Flight 425 had crashed there, claiming 131 lives.
Wreckage discovery
Portuguese divers located the remains of the Caravelle in October 2011 at a depth of . The aircraft debris was found split into two major sections.