Investigation Summary
The flight was a scheduled service originating from Istanbul Yeşilköy Airport with a stopover at Ankara Esenboğa Airport before its final leg to Adana. After departing Ankara at 16:28 local time, the crew opted for a direct heading toward Adana instead of the standard western detour via Konya and Silifke, which was typically used by civilian aircraft to maintain safe clearance from the high peaks of the Taurus Mountains. At 17:28, the crew contacted Incirlik Air Base controllers, reporting they were at 17,500 feet and requesting an approach to Adana. They noted they were flying around cumulus clouds to avoid turbulence. The controller cleared them to descend to 5,000 feet, with instructions to report passing 8,000 and 7,000 feet. The aircraft struck the mountain at 17:43 local time, just 15 minutes after the initial contact and 3 minutes after the likely time of descent clearance, 47 nautical miles from the airport. Due to the remote and rugged terrain, rescue teams did not reach the wreckage until several days later.
Final Conclusions
The ICAO final report, released in 1966, concluded that the probable cause was the pilot's inability to maintain an exact track or altitude while maneuvering to avoid weather. Specifically, the crew lost situational awareness regarding their position relative to the high terrain of the Taurus Mountains while adjusting their flight path for clouds and turbulence.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Navigation
The crew relied on visual and instrument navigation to clear the Taurus Mountains, but lost track of their exact position while deviating for weather.
Interesting Facts
- 01The flight originated at Istanbul Yeşilköy Airport with a stopover in Ankara.
- 02The aircraft was a Fairchild F-27, serial number 83, which first flew in 1960.
- 03The flight path taken was a direct route usually reserved for military aircraft.
- 04The crash site was located approximately 47 nautical miles from Adana Airport.
- 05All 11 people on board, including 8 passengers and 3 crew members, were killed.
- 06The final report was only two pages long and lacked detailed wreckage analysis.