In memoriam, SK Ankara crash, 50 years ago

[Vermont Viking]

(Was going to post this last moth but did not get around to it)

It was 50 years ago last month since the crash of an SAS Caravelle at Ankara.
http://aviation-safety.net/database/...?id=19600119-0
Accident description
languages:
Status:
Date: 19 JAN 1960
Time: 18:47
Type: Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle I
Operator: Scandinavian Airlines System - SAS
Registration: OY-KRB
C/n / msn: 14
First flight: 1959
Crew: Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
Passengers: Fatalities: 35 / Occupants: 35
Total: Fatalities: 42 / Occupants: 42
Airplane damage: Written off
Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: ca 10 km SW of Ankara-Esenboga Airport (ESB) (Turkey)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport: Istanbul-Yesilköy Airport (IST/LTBA), Turkey
Destination airport: Ankara-Esenboga Airport (ESB/LTAC), Turkey
Flightnumber: 871
Narrative:
SAS Flight SK871 to Ankara (ESB) was uneventful until the approach. The flight was taken over by Ankara Control at reporting point Göynük, at 18:26 UTC. The aircraft arrived over Ankara range station at 18:41 at FL135 descending to FL120 in accordance with the clearance given. It changed over to the tower frequency and received further let-down and approach instructions. The crew acknowledged receipt of the instructions and the flight reported Ankara range station inbound at 18:45 at an altitude of 6500 feet descending.
At 18:47 the aircraft struck the ground at an elevation of 3500 feet, between Ankara range and the Airport. Apparently, after reporting it continued on a heading of 031 degrees, descending to the impact point.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident occurred because of an unintentional descent below the authorized minimum flight altitude during final approach to Esenboga Airport. The reason for this descent could not be ascertained due to lack of conclusive evidence."

It was a typical CFIT type of accident and first loss of a Caravalle. Interestingly, it seems that there is not a single photo or slide of the ill-fated aircraft available; it in service only for a few months.

My mother was a stewardess for SAS at the time and knew all the crew members who were lost that day.