A Douglas DC-8 used by Japan Airlines, similar to the aircraft involved |
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| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | Jun 14, 1972 |
| Type | Crash on approach |
| Site | near Palam International Airport, New Delhi |
| Passengers | 76 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Fatalities | 85, including 3 on ground |
| Survivors | 5 |
| Aircraft type | Douglas DC-8-53 |
| Operator | Japan Airlines |
| Flight origin | Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok |
| Destination | Palam International Airport, New Delhi |
Japan Airlines Flight 471 was a Japan Airlines flight from Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand to Palam International Airport (now Indira Gandhi International Airport) in New Delhi, India. On June 14, 1972 the Douglas DC-8-53 used crashed outside of the New Delhi airport, killing 82 of 87 occupants; 10 of 11 crew members and 72 of 76 passengers died, and 3 people on the ground died.[1] 16 of the dead were Americans.[2] Brazilian actress Leila Diniz was also among the killed.[3]
Japanese investigators claimed a false glide path signal to be responsible. Indian investigators say the accident was caused by a total disregard of laid down procedures by the pilot and abandoning instrument indications without properly ensuring sighting of the runway.