USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Boeing 707-300

"Photo of a Dan-Air Boeing Model 707-300 on approach for landing"
Photo of a Dan-Air Boeing Model 707-300 on approach for landing

Dan-Air Services, Ltd, G-BEBP

Zambia, Africa

May 14, 1977

On May 14, 1977, a Boeing Model 707-300 series airplane, operated by Dan-Air, Ltd, crashed on approach to landing in Zambia, Africa. The accident occurred in daylight and in good weather. The horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft was found 200 meters away from the wreckage, indicating a separation of structure during flight. Investigation of the fractured stabilizer revealed that the failsafe characteristics of the structure did not perform as intended. Further investigation showed that design changes intended to statically strengthen the stabilizer structure, as part of the 707-300 design, also induced higher than expected fatigue loads and subsequent failure of the stabilizer structure.

Last updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2023