Investigation Summary
The flight was on the third leg of a multi-stop journey from Tokyo to Singapore. During the approach to Kuala Lumpur's Subang Airport, the crew encountered adverse weather conditions. Despite being on a non-precision VOR approach, which requires maintaining a minimum descent altitude until the runway environment is visible, the captain continued the descent through the 750-foot MDA. The aircraft reached 300 feet before impacting a hill. The investigation highlighted a breakdown in cockpit discipline, as the first officer failed to challenge the captain's decision to descend below the safety limits in low visibility.
Final Conclusions
The Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation concluded that the primary cause was the captain's decision to descend below the minimum descent altitude without having the runway in sight. Contributing factors included the poor weather conditions which obscured the airport and the first officer's failure to monitor and challenge the captain's deviation from standard operating procedures and safety regulations.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Japan Airlines Flight 715 Aftermath Footage — Historical footage showing the wreckage of the Japan Airlines DC-8 that crashed at Elmina Estate in 1977, resulting in 34 fatalities.
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Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
VOR Approach
A non-precision radio navigation system used by the crew during the approach to Subang Airport.
Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA)
The altitude limit (750 feet in this case) below which a pilot must not descend during a non-precision approach unless the runway is visible.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-62H delivered to JAL in August 1971.
- 02The accident was the second-deadliest aviation disaster in Malaysia at the time of its occurrence.
- 03A memorial for the victims was established in the Japanese cemetery in Kuala Lumpur.
- 04The crash site at Elmina Estate remained a location where aircraft fragments could be found until development began around 2011.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Crew Resource Management (CRM) Emphasis
The investigation noted the first officer's failure to challenge the captain, reinforcing the need for improved cockpit communication and the authority of junior crew members to speak up during safety violations.