Lufthansa Flight 540

On 20 November 1974, Lufthansa Flight 540 crashed shortly after takeoff from Nairobi while continuing a Frankfurt - Nairobi - Johannesburg service. The aircraft was Boeing 747-130 D-ABYB, named Hessen. Of 157 people aboard, 59 died and 98 survived.

What happened

The aircraft became airborne but failed to climb normally. It struck the ground beyond the runway and caught fire. This was the first fatal crash of a Boeing 747 in airline service.

Investigation findings

The investigation identified a stall with the leading-edge high-lift devices retracted. The trailing-edge flaps had been set for takeoff, but the pneumatic supply needed to extend the leading-edge devices was unavailable because the relevant bleed-air valves had not been opened.

That distinction matters: setting the main flaps did not establish that every part of the high-lift system was ready. The available takeoff warning did not adequately alert the crew to this particular configuration.

Safety context

The case illustrates the need to verify actual system indications, as well as control selections, before takeoff. The investigation report below provides the detailed findings and recommendations.

Related

• 747-100
• All accidents and incidents