Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 29 November 1987
Aircraft Type: Boeing 707-3B5C
Owner/operator: Korean Air
Registration Number: HL7406
Location: 100 km NW off Tavoy, Myanmar [Andaman Sea] – ÿ Indian Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 115 / Occupants: 115
Component Affected: The Boeing 707-300 aircraft, specifically the aircraft’s electronics system, including the transistor radio, timing device, and overhead baggage rack.The Boeing 707-300 aircraft, specifically the aircraft’s electronics system, including the transistor radio, timing device, and overhead baggage rack.
On December 13, 1987, Korean Air Flight KE858, a Boeing 707-300, crashed into the Andaman Sea off Myanmar after an explosive device detonated. The flight, departing Baghdad, Iraq, to Seoul, South Korea, was carrying 115 passengers and crew. After a scheduled flight, the aircraft departed Abu Dhabi, climbing to a cruising altitude of FL370, and lost contact with air traffic control at 05:01 UTC. The crew reported an estimated arrival time of 05:22 at the TAVOY waypoint over the Andaman Sea, but the flight was declared missing when it failed to arrive. Investigation revealed that the aircraft was carrying a bomb disguised as a transistor radio, containing a C 4 explosive. The timer was set to activate 9 hours later, and the bomb was placed in the overhead baggage rack. The bomb was linked to the flight through a timing device, and the passengers were identified as Mr. Kim Sung-il and Miss Kim Hyon-hui of North Korean origin. The flight was investigated, and the saboteurs were apprehended in Bahrain, where they were found to be holding false passports. The bomb was discovered to be a time bomb, and the passengers were found to be holding it. The investigation concluded that the bomb was planted in the aircraft by two disguised passengers, and the resulting explosion caused the aircraft to crash.On December 13, 1987, Korean Air Flight KE858, a Boeing 707-300, crashed into the Andaman Sea off Myanmar after an explosive device detonated. The flight, departing Baghdad, Iraq, to Seoul, South Korea, was carrying 115 passengers and crew. After a scheduled flight, the aircraft departed Abu Dhabi, climbing to a cruising altitude of FL370, and lost contact with air traffic control at 05:01 UTC. The crew reported an estimated arrival time of 05:22 at the TAVOY waypoint over the Andaman Sea, but the flight was declared missing when it failed to arrive. Investigation revealed that the aircraft was carrying a bomb disguised as a transistor radio, containing a C 4 explosive. The timer was set to activate 9 hours later, and the bomb was placed in the overhead baggage rack. The bomb was linked to the flight through a timing device, and the passengers were identified as Mr. Kim Sung-il and Miss Kim Hyon-hui of North Korean origin. The flight was investigated, and the saboteurs were apprehended in Bahrain, where they were found to be holding false passports. The bomb was discovered to be a time bomb, and the passengers were found to be holding it. The investigation concluded that the bomb was planted in the aircraft by two disguised passengers, and the resulting explosion caused the aircraft to crash.

Description

Korean Air flight KE858, a Boeing 707-300, crashed into the Andaman Sea off Myanmar, following detonation of an explosive device, killing all 115 occupants. Flight KE858 departed Baghdad, Iraq on a scheduled service to Seoul, South Korea. En route stops were planned at Abu Dhabi, UAE and Bangkok, Thailand. At 00:01 UTC Flight 858 departed Abu Dhabi, climbing to a cruising altitude of FL370. Last radio contact was at 05:01 UTC when the crew reported that they estimated reaching the TAVOY waypoint over the Andaman Sea at 05:22. Flight 858 was declared missing when it failed to arrive at the destination. On December 13, 1987 a local schooner found pieces of wreckage floating northwest off Tavoy, Myanmar. Korean Authorities, suspecting sabotage after the aircraft became missing, started checking on passengers who disembarked at Abu Dhabi and traced the suspects Mr.Hachiya Shinichi and Miss Hachiya Mayumi to Bahrain where they were apprehended while going through exit formalities at the airport. It was reported that they were found to be holding false Japanese Passports. While being held for interrogation, both committed suicide by taking poison capsules hidden in the cigarettes and Mr.Hachiya Shinichi died. Miss Hachiya Mayumi who survived the attempt was extradited to South Korea. It was reported that the passengers were found to be named Mr. Kim Sung-il and Miss Kim Hyon-hui of North Korean origin. For her role in the bombing Kim Hyun Hui was sentenced to death in March 1989. However, South Korean president Roh Tae-woo pardoned her in 1998. Investigation revealed that the bomb consisted of a composition C 4 type explosive hidden in a battery operated portable transistor radio which was used as a timing device. The timer was activated while they were awaiting embarkation at Baghdad Airport and set to go off 9 hours later. Together with the transistor radio, a liquor bottle containing liquid explosive (type PLX) was taken on board and placed in the overhead baggage rack above seat row No. 7 in the forward cabin section of the economy class compartment where they were seated. These timed explosives were left in that place when they disembarked at Abu Dhabi. PROBABLE CAUSE: “In flight explosion of time bomb planted in the aircraft by the two saboteurs disguised as passengers.”

Primary Cause

Inflight explosion of a time bomb planted in the aircraft by two disguised passengers.Inflight explosion of a time bomb planted in the aircraft by two disguised passengers.

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