Investigation Summary
The approach was complicated by the lack of modern navigational aids at Pochentong International Airport. The airport's VOR/DME equipment and runway lights had been looted during political unrest in July 1997, forcing pilots to rely on a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB). During the accident flight, heavy rain further reduced visibility. Despite the First Officer and Flight Engineer repeatedly calling for a go-around as the aircraft descended below minimums, the Captain insisted on continuing the search for the runway. The investigation revealed that the Captain's psychological unreadiness to abort the landing led him to maintain a descent until the aircraft struck trees approximately 800 meters short of the runway. At the time of the first strike, the aircraft had veered left of the approach path over the military side of the airport. After the left wing hit a palm tree and the left engine failed, the pilot attempted to abort, but the aircraft veered right, stalled, and impacted the ground approximately 300 meters short of the threshold. The crash remains the deadliest aviation accident in Cambodian history, leaving a Thai toddler as the sole survivor.
Final Conclusions
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee of Cambodia concluded the primary cause was pilot error. The captain failed to follow the instructions of the approach controller, ignored the advice of his crew members, and continued the descent below minimum decision height without visual contact. The report also noted the captain's improper use of the autopilot at low altitudes and his failure to execute a timely go-around.
Video Analysis
Pilot Ignored The Warnings (Vietnam Airlines Flight 815) — An analysis of the circumstances surrounding the crash of Flight 815, including the poor weather conditions and the pilot's decision to ignore cockpit warnings.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Pham Van Tieu, age 59. Held a valid license and medical certificate. Type rated on Boeing 707.
First Officer
Hoang Van Dinh, age 49. Urged the captain to abort the landing.
Systems & Failure Modes
Non-Directional Beacon (NDB)
The primary navigational aid available at the time due to the looting of more advanced VOR/DME equipment.
Autopilot
The captain insisted on keeping the autopilot engaged even after passing the minimum decision height.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-134B-3 manufactured in 1984.
- 02A 14-month-old Thai boy was the sole survivor of the 66 people on board.
- 03The airport's VOR/DME and runway lights had been looted two months prior to the accident.
- 04The flight recorders were recovered from local villagers who were paid small rewards for their return.
- 05The crash is the deadliest aviation accident to occur on Cambodian soil.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Infrastructure Restoration
Following the accident and the looting incidents, efforts were made to restore and secure vital navigational aids like VOR/DME at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Dispute Over Fault
Reference ↗Initially, Vietnam Airlines and Phnom Penh airport authorities publicly disagreed on the cause, with the airline blaming faulty ground equipment and the airport blaming pilot error.