Narrative:Libyan Arab Airlines flight 1103, a Boeing 727, was destroyed when it crashed while on approach to Tripoli International Airport, Libya. All 157 persons on board were killed.
The aircraft operated a domestic flight from Benghazi to Tripoli, Libya. As the flight approached Tripoli Airport, it was instructed to hold at the Papa Echo beacon at 3000 feet, 4.1DME from runway 27. At 08:05 the flight was told they would need to hold for another three minutes due to military traffic.
This military traffic was a MiG-23UB that had just taken off. The aircraft climbed in a left hand turn and headed towards Papa Echo. Reaching 3000 feet, the aircraft hit the tail fin of flight 1103. The tail separated and the Boeing 727 entered an uncontrollable descent and impacted the ground. Both crew members of the MiG-23 reportedly ejected safely.
Classification:
Mid air collision
Loss of control
Sources:
» Air Safety Week 11 January 1993 (p. 3)
Photos
accident date:
22-12-1992type: Boeing 727-2L5
registration: 5A-DIA
accident date:
22-12-1992type: Boeing 727-2L5
registration: 5A-DIA
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Benghazi-Benina International Airport to Tripoli International Airport as the crow flies is 666 km (416 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.