United Arab Airlines Flight 869 (1963)
| Company type | Scheduled international passenger flight |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 28 July 1963 |
| Fate | Crashed into Arabian Sea |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bombay, Bahrain, Cairo |
Template:EngvarB Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence United Arab Airlines Flight 869 was a scheduled international passenger service operated with a de Havilland Comet 4C, flying from Tokyo, Japan, to Cairo with intermediate stops at Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bombay, and Bahrain. On 28 July 1963, the aircraft registered SU-ALD was on approach to Bombay’s Santa Cruz Airport when it crashed into the Arabian Sea, resulting in the deaths of all 63 occupants aboard. Among the passengers were a group of 24 Boy Scouts and their adult leaders from the Philippines en route to the 11th World Scout Jamboree in Greece.
Accident
At approximately 1:46 a.m. local time in Mumbai on 28 July 1963 (20:16 GMT on 27 July), the flight crew reported passing overhead the Santa Cruz VOR beacon at an altitude of 7,000 feet (2,100 m) and received clearance to descend to 4,000 feet (1,200 m). They requested an instrument landing system approach for runway 09, intending to follow the back beam procedure. Air Traffic Control responded that this procedure was unavailable and instructed them to proceed using the VOR beacon approach instead. The pilots concurred and advised they were commencing descent from 7,000 feet (2,100 m) on the VOR’s 272-degree radial. The controller warned that severe turbulence could be encountered if the aircraft deviated more than 6 -7[convert: unknown unit] west of the airport. Due to weather considerations, the crew requested authorization to perform a left-hand circuit rather than the standard right-hand pattern; this was granted. While already experiencing intense turbulence, the aircraft initiated a left turn but ultimately crashed into the sea at approximately 1:50 a.m., located about 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) from Madh Island.
Probable cause
Since no debris was recovered and the crew did not indicate any issues, investigators determined that the aircraft likely crashed due to loss of control while maneuvering through intense turbulence accompanied by heavy rainfall.
Boy Scouts of the Philippines scouting contingent
A group of 24 scouts and scouting leaders from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines were en route to the 11th World Scout Jamboree held in Marathon, Greece. Their journey began in Manila with a KLM flight to Hong Kong, where they planned to connect to United Arab Airlines Flight 869 bound for Athens. Tragically, this Filipino delegation was among the 63 individuals who lost their lives in the accident.
Representatives from the Manila Boy Scout Council included:
- Ramon V. Albano
- Henry Chuatoco
- Jose Antonio Delgado
- Pedro Gandia
- Gabriel Borromeo
- Wilfredo Santiago
- Ascario Tuason, Jr.
From the Quezon City Council:
- Roberto Castor
- Romeo R. Rallos
- Rogelio Ybardolaza
Other scouts came from various regions:
- Victor de Guia, Jr. (Baguio City)
- Antonio Limbaga (Zamboanga City)
- Roberto Lozano (Dagupan City)
- Paulo Madriñan (Pasay City)
- Patricio Dulay Bayoran Jr. (Negros Occidental Council)
- Jose Fermin Magbanua (Negros Oriental)
- Filamor Reyes (Cavite)
- Antonio Torillo (Cavite)
- Benecio Tobias (Tarlac)
- Felix Fuentebella, Jr. (representing both Manila and Goa, Camarines Sur Councils)
The scouting officials who perished include:
- Scoutmaster and Physician Bonifacio Vitan Lazcano, M.D.
- Chaplain Fr. Jose Agcaoili Martinez, S.J.
- Assistant Scoutmaster Librado L. S. Fernandez
- Assistant Scoutmaster Florante Lirio Ojeda
These scouts and leaders are honored at the 11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda as well as the monument at Colegio de San Juan de Letran depicted above. Furthermore, the streets surrounding the rotonda bear their names as a tribute to those who died in the crash.
References
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- World Accident Summary. Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). 1974. ISBN 0-903083-44-2.
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