China Airlines Flight 676 crashes into a road and residential area near Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, killing all 196 aboard and seven more on the ground.

China Airlines Flight 676 (CAL676, CI676) was a scheduled international passenger flight that tragically ended in a catastrophic accident on February 16, 1998. This incident remains a somber chapter in aviation history, particularly for Taiwan, due to its significant loss of life and the circumstances surrounding the crash.

On Monday, February 16, 1998, the Airbus A300B4-622R jet airliner operating this flight tragically crashed into a road and residential area in Tayuan, Taoyuan County (now known as Taoyuan City), Taiwan. The crash occurred in close proximity to Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, which has since been renamed Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), the primary international gateway to Taiwan.

The Flight Path and Inclement Weather Conditions

The Airbus A300, registered as B-1814, was undertaking a routine international journey from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali, Indonesia, to Taipei, Taiwan. As the aircraft approached its destination, the former Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, weather conditions deteriorated significantly. The area was enveloped in inclement weather, characterized by heavy rain and dense fog, severely reducing visibility and making the approach challenging for the flight crew.

Critical Moments: Initial Missed Approach and Subsequent Stall

Due to the challenging weather conditions, the pilots initially executed a missed approach, which is a standard procedure when a safe landing cannot be assured. After this initial go-around, the jet was subsequently cleared by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to attempt a landing on runway 05L. However, following the disengagement of the autopilot, the pilots then initiated a second, manual go-around maneuver. This critical decision marked the beginning of a rapid and fatal chain of events.

During this manual go-around attempt, the aircraft experienced a severe aerodynamic stall. The jet's airspeed significantly decreased, and it pitched up dramatically by an extreme angle of 40 degrees. It subsequently rose approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) before losing all aerodynamic lift and control. The aircraft then plunged into a residential neighborhood at approximately 4:20 PM local time, bursting into flames upon impact.

Investigation Findings: Pilot Error as a Primary Factor

The subsequent investigation by Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council (ASC) identified pilot error as a primary contributing factor to the accident. The final report concluded that the flight crew mishandled the manual go-around procedure. Specifically, after disengaging the autopilot, the pilots failed to apply sufficient thrust, leading to a dangerous reduction in airspeed. Compounding this, they over-pitched the aircraft by pulling the control stick back excessively, resulting in the extreme 40-degree pitch angle and the unrecoverable aerodynamic stall.

Tragic Loss of Life

The crash resulted in an immense loss of life, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Taiwan's history:

A poignant account from Hsu Lu, manager of the Voice of Taipei radio station, described that one boy was initially pulled alive from the wreckage but tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

Historical Significance in Taiwanese Aviation

China Airlines Flight 676 remains the deadliest aviation accident ever to occur on Taiwanese soil. At the time of the incident, China Airlines operated a fleet of 12 Airbus A300 aircraft. This tragic event is also recognized as the second-deadliest accident overall in Taiwan's history. The only incident surpassing it in fatalities is China Airlines Flight 611, which involved a Boeing 747-209B that disintegrated over the Taiwan Strait in 2002, claiming 225 lives. Investigations into Flight 611 later revealed that the breakup was caused by a fatigue crack from a tail strike incident 22 years prior, which had not been properly repaired, demonstrating a different root cause of a catastrophic structural failure.

Frequently Asked Questions about China Airlines Flight 676

What was China Airlines Flight 676?
China Airlines Flight 676 (CAL676/CI676) was a scheduled international passenger flight that crashed on February 16, 1998, near what is now Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), killing all 196 people on board and 7 on the ground.
Where did China Airlines Flight 676 crash?
The Airbus A300 operating Flight 676 crashed into a road and residential area in Tayuan, Taoyuan County (now Taoyuan City), Taiwan, very close to Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (now Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport).
What caused the crash of China Airlines Flight 676?
Investigations concluded that the primary cause was pilot error during a manual go-around maneuver. The pilots failed to apply adequate thrust and subsequently over-pitched the aircraft, leading to an aerodynamic stall from which they could not recover.
How many people died in the China Airlines Flight 676 accident?
A total of 203 people lost their lives: all 196 passengers and crew on board the aircraft, and 7 individuals on the ground in the residential area where the plane crashed.
Is China Airlines Flight 676 the deadliest aviation accident in Taiwan?
Yes, it remains the deadliest aviation accident to occur on Taiwanese soil. Overall, it is the second-deadliest accident in Taiwan's history, behind China Airlines Flight 611 (225 fatalities), which occurred over the Taiwan Strait.