Date:	Sunday 19 February 1989
Time:	06:36
Type:	Boeing 747-249F
Owner/operator:	Flying Tiger Line
Registration:	N807FT
MSN:	21828/408
Year of manufacture:	1979
Total airframe hrs:	34000 hours
Cycles:	9000 flights
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	12 km from Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL) -   Malaysia
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Singapore-Changi International Airport (SIN/WSSS)
Destination airport:	Kuala Lumpur Subang International Airport (KUL/WMKK)
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The Boeing, named "Thomas Haywood", was less than half loaded with textiles, computer software and mail when it departed Singapore. Approaching Kuala Lumpur, the crew were cleared to route direct to the Kayell (KL) beacon for a runway 33 approach. While on the NDB approach, the crew were cleared to "...descend two four zero zero..." which was interpreted by the crew as "...to 400...". The aircraft descended below minimum altitude and crashed into a hillside at 600 feet/180 m msl just before reaching the Kayell NDB, where minimum descent height was 2400 feet. The Boeing hit treetops and started to break up until bursting into flames.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Non-standard phraseology was used by Kuala Lumpur ATC, causing the crew to misinterpret the instructions.

Aviation Week & Space Technology 27.02.89 (24)
Flight International 17-12 January 1990 (p.44)
ICAO Adrep Summary

photo (c) Alex Tanner; Hong Kong-Kai Tak International Airport (HKG)

photo (c) via Werner Fischdick; Frankfurt International Airport (FRA); May 1986

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