Investigation Summary
The investigation into Flight 202 focused on the flight's departure profile from Runway 18 at Beirut. The aircraft had arrived from Frankfurt the previous day but was grounded for nearly a full day to address technical difficulties. When it finally departed at 01:30 local time (19:30 GMT), it was required to perform a right turn shortly after takeoff to avoid the rising terrain of the Lebanese mountains. However, the aircraft continued on a path that led it directly into the hills of Aramoun, approximately 5 kilometers south of the airport. Investigators identified two primary factors that likely contributed to the collision. First, the pilot failed to initiate the prescribed right turn at the correct time, possibly due to distraction or a simple lapse in navigation. Second, evidence suggested a fire or a fire indication occurred in the number 1 engine. This emergency would have compelled the crew to execute fire suppression procedures, which typically involve feathering the propeller and reducing power, thereby significantly degrading the aircraft's rate of climb and ability to turn away from the hills.
Final Conclusions
The accident was attributed to a combination of navigational error and a mechanical emergency. The pilot did not execute the required right turn early enough, either due to forgetfulness or distraction by an unusual occurrence. This error was compounded by a fire indication, or an actual fire, in the number 1 engine, which led the crew to initiate emergency actions that reduced the aircraft's climb performance and turn rate, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Crew Experience
Captain
The Captain had flown 406 hours on the DC-4; all 5 crew members perished in the accident.
Systems & Failure Modes
No. 1 Engine
The outboard left engine, which investigators believe suffered a fire or a false fire indication, leading to a reduction in climb performance.
Fire Emergency System
The crew likely activated emergency procedures for an engine fire, which involves reducing power and potentially feathering the affected engine's propeller.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Douglas DC-4 manufactured in 1944.
- 02The flight was delayed for 20 hours in Beirut due to technical difficulties prior to the accident flight.
- 03There were only three survivors among the 27 occupants on board; all survivors were passengers.
- 04The crash site was located approximately 5 kilometers south of Beirut International Airport in the Aramoun region.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Standard Instrument Departure Compliance
Source ↗The investigation emphasized the critical nature of adhering to prescribed departure turns at Beirut, particularly for aircraft with degraded performance, to ensure terrain clearance in the mountainous region south of the airport.