Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 12 June 1982
Aircraft Type: Boeing 720-023B
Owner/operator: Middle East Airlines – MEA
Registration Number: OD-AFP
Location: Beirut International Airport (BEY) –
ÿ Lebanon
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Component Affected: Boeing 707 and 720 aircraftBoeing 707 and 720 aircraft
Category: Unlawful Interference
On June 3, 1982, a series of attacks by members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) resulted in the destruction of six Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft by the Israeli army. The initial Israeli military operation, Operation Peace for Galilee, led to shelling of Beirut, including the international airport, and targeted the PLO’s escape route.On June 3, 1982, a series of attacks by members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) resulted in the destruction of six Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft by the Israeli army. The initial Israeli military operation, Operation Peace for Galilee, led to shelling of Beirut, including the international airport, and targeted the PLO’s escape route.
Description
On June 3, 1982 members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) shot and killed Israel’s ambassador to Britain. This started off an Israeli army attack on the PLO in Lebanon, called Operation Peace for Galilee. The Israeli army moved on to Beirut in the next days and they started shelling the city and the international airport on June 12 and 16 with the intent to prevent the remaining PLO members from escaping Beirut. Six MEA and TMA Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft were destroyed in the attack. The aircraft destroyed included: OD-AFP, OD-AFU, OD-AFW, OD-AGR, OD-AGN, OD-AFB.
Primary Cause
The PLO’s actions triggered an Israeli army attack on the PLO in Lebanon, leading to Operation Peace for Galilee.The PLO’s actions triggered an Israeli army attack on the PLO in Lebanon, leading to Operation Peace for Galilee.Share on:
