This day in History

[raihans]

42 years ago today, on May 20, 1965, a Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 720-040B crashed while on approach to Cairo, Egypt. 119 of the 125 passengers and crew aboard were killed.

http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view ... l+Airlines

[raihans]

This photo shows AP-AMH at London-Heathrow Airport in January of 1965. Three months later, on May 20, 1965, this aircraft crashed near Cairo International Airport. Three year old AP-AMH was on finals for Cairo Airport when it struck the ground. It was first major accident in PIA's history. The crash killed 119 passengers and crew members. Only six people were lucky to survive this accident

Also, http://www.historyofpia.com/accidents2.htm

Also, http://www.answers.com/topic/pia-flight-705

[chevron]

On National Geographic Channel a series "Seconds from Disaster" covers Aviation accidents in great detail, but I have never seen any episode which covered accidents that occured to PIA aircrafts.

[AN]

while travelling to JFK a few weeks ago, one of the survivors of the cairo cash was on board. he told the crew his experience and how he was saved as his seat (originaly first class) had been changed due overbooking and he was seated towards the rear of the aircraft, o else he would not have survived.

[raihans]

while travelling to JFK a few weeks ago, one of the survivors of the cairo cash was on board. he told the crew his experience and how he was saved as his seat (originaly first class) had been changed due overbooking and he was seated towards the rear of the aircraft, o else he would not have survived.

Aroosh, following were the survivors of PK705

* Mr. Jalal Al-Karimi (Dhahran Station Manager – Pakistan International Airlines)
* Mr. M Salahuddin Siddiqi (Press Officer – PIA)
* Mr. Amanullah Khandwalla (Aerotravels)
* Mr. Shaukat Mecklai (Universal Express)
* Mr. Arif Raza (son of the owner of Hostelleirie de France)
* Mr. Zahoor (Globe)

Can you name one who was on board on that flight to JFK? Just asking for information!

[FMC]

On National Geographic Channel a series "Seconds from Disaster" covers Aviation accidents in great detail, but I have never seen any episode which covered accidents that occured to PIA aircrafts.

Info is always swept under the carpet in supreme national interest. The posted pic has a nostalgic effect and I can sense the prime of PIA.

[PK747]

Regarding the illfated flight PK 705 on 20th of May 1965,which crashed in Cairo.Unfortunatley my uncle mohammed Siddique was one of the passengers who died in this crash.Very few details were available at the time,purley by my interest in aviation more information is now available.
He left two small boys who are now obviously grown men.I would love to get intouch with any of the survivours,if any forum member has any details i would very much appreciate them.
Kind Regards
Sadique

[Abbas Ali]

Aroosh, following were the survivors of PK705.....

A shipment of monkeys in ill-fated Boeing 720B's cargo hold also survived the crash.

I know an American gentleman; his friend was member of team that investigated PIA Boeing 720-040B (registration AP-AMH) crash at Cairo. He believes the Boeing 720B, during descent, rapidly lost height and struck the ground due to wind shear.


Effect of wind shear of plane trajectory. Note how merely correcting for the initial gust front can have dire consequences - Source: Wikipedia

Link With More Info: Wind shear - Wikipedia

The tragic accident took lives of PIA’s (a very young airline at that time) two senior most pilots Capt. Ali Akhtar Khan (ill-fated flight’s commander) and Capt. Afzal Johari (ill-fated flight’s co-pilot).

PIA’s two VVIP Air Hostesses, popular & famous Momi Gul Durrani and Chico Panthaky also died in this accident

Following are photos of Capt. Ali Akhtar Khan and Air Hostess Momi Gul Durrani.

Capt. Ali Akhtar Khan (left) with Capt. Khusro Nawaz Khan aboard a PIA Boeing 720B jetliner. Capt. Ali Akhtar Khan died as commander of PIA flight PK-705 which crashed near Cairo Airport on May 20, 1965. At the time of his death Capt. Ali Akhtar Khan was the senior most pilot in PIA – Capt. Khusro Nawaz Khan Family Collection


PIA's legendary Air Hostess Momi Gul Durrani in airline’s 1950s cabin crew uniform - Copyright PIA

[PK747]

Dear Abbass,
Many thanks for your information regarding this ill fated flight.I am wishing to take my family to the burial site.I have traced the exact location where the plane went down.I believe that a residential complex is being built there.
There was rumours that one of the survivours wrote his memoires regarding the flight.As anyone got any knowldege of this.
Regards
Sadique

[ConnieMan]

My uncle (TAYA) Muslah Uddin Haqqi was suppose to be on that ill-fated flight, for some reason he missed that flight PK705 for next one and he is fine and with us today. I will get details in future and post why he went for second flight or may be his time wasn't then.

[chaklala]

The whole nation went into mourning.

Momi Gul was a national icon and our family went to offer condolonces to her mother, who used to live next to a small Ferozsons shop, sandwiched between CB Sir Syed and what later became Presidents House, on the Mall in Pindi.

The house was crowded with people, relatives as well as ordinary citizens. One image which still sticks in my mind is a huge mural of a PIA Viscount on one of the walls in the house. All gone now I'm afraid as I discovered on a recent trip down memeory lane to Pindi!!