Boeing 707 crash, Feb 8, 1989 (144 killed), Santa Maria
Boeing 707 accident on February 8, 1989 near Santa Maria, Azores Islands, Portugal with 144 fatalities. Cause: Controlled flight into terrain after the...
- Date: February 8, 1989
- Aircraft: Boeing 707
- Location: Santa Maria, Azores Islands, Portugal
- Fatalities: 144
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended below the minimum sector altitude without an approach briefing. Contributing factors included an incorrect QNH transmitted by the tower, a communications overlap, departures from standard phraseology and no reaction to the ground proximity warning.
Independent Air Flight 1851, a Boeing 707 chartered from Bergamo to Punta Cana, was on an ILS approach to Santa Maria in the Azores. The crew descended below the published minimum sector altitude in cloud and turbulence, and the aircraft struck Pico Alto. All 144 people on board were killed.