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Accident | |
---|---|
Date | 23 December 1980 [a] |
Summary | Uncontrolled decompression |
Site | Over Qatar |
Aircraft | |
Aircraft type | Lockheed L-1011 TriStar |
Operator | Saudi Arabian Airlines |
Registration | HZ-AHJ |
Flight origin | Dhahran International Airport, Saudi Arabia |
Destination | Karachi International Airport, Pakistan |
Occupants | 292 |
Passengers | 272 |
Crew | 20 |
Fatalities | 2 |
Injuries | 7 |
Survivors | 290 |
Saudia Flight 162 was a scheduled flight from Dhahran International Airport, Saudi Arabia, to Karachi International Airport, Pakistan, that suffered a high-altitude uncontrolled decompression above international waters off Qatar, killing two children who were among the 272 passengers. [2] [1]
After takeoff, the aircraft was cleared to an altitude of 29,000 feet. As it reached this altitude, one of its main wheel tires failed, exploding and creating a hole in the fuselage and cabin floor. An emergency descent was initiated, followed by a successful landing at Qatar's Doha International Airport. Two young passengers were killed when they were ejected through the hole in the cabin floor. [1]
The accident aircraft was a Lockheed L-1011-200 TriStar, registration HZ-AHJ (c/n 1161) was delivered to Saudia in 1979. [1] [3] [4]
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be a fatigue failure of a flange on the hub of one of the main landing gear wheels. This failure had resulted in one of the tires blowing out. The debris from this explosion had penetrated the cabin of the airplane, causing the explosive decompression. B.F. Goodrich Co. and Lockheed were found to share responsibility for their failure to assess safety hazards associated with this particular wheel design. In addition, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was found to have had inadequate oversight of the manufacturers. [1]
The aircraft was repaired and returned to service with Saudia. [1] It was retired in 1999 and later scrapped. [5]