1983-09-01
Korean Air
Flight KE007
Departure
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, USA
Destination
Gimpo International Airport, Seoul, South Korea
Causation Breakdown
Recurrence Likelihood Today
Low
GPS navigation and mandatory RVSM/RNAV standards have essentially eliminated gross course deviations of this magnitude in modern aviation. The 1984 amendment to the Chicago Convention (Article 3 bis) prohibits the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight. However, as demonstrated by MH17 and PS752, state willingness to comply with international law remains a variable.
Summary
KAL 007 was shot down by the Soviet Union after a navigation error caused it to stray into restricted Soviet airspace. The aircraft flew over sensitive military sites for over two hours while Soviet interceptors tracked it, apparently unable to confirm it was a civilian aircraft. The 269 victims included a sitting U.S. Congressman. The tragedy directly led to the opening of GPS technology for civilian navigation.
Cause & Investigation
Determined cause
Shootdown
Due to an autopilot configuration error at departure, KAL 007 deviated significantly north of its planned course and entered Soviet airspace over the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island. A Soviet Air Defense Forces Su-15 interceptor tracked the aircraft for over two hours before firing two air-to-air missiles, causing the Boeing 747 to spiral into the Sea of Japan.
Investigation body
ICAO investigation team; Soviet and Russian authorities withheld flight recorders until 1992.
Timeline & Safety Improvements
Flight KE007 disaster
Boeing 747-230B operating for Korean Air. 269 fatalities, 0 survivors.
Formal investigation opened
Conducted by: ICAO investigation team; Soviet and Russian authorities withheld flight recorders until 1992.
Cause determined: Shootdown
Due to an autopilot configuration error at departure, KAL 007 deviated significantly north of its planned course and entered Soviet airspace over the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island. A Soviet Air Defense Forces Su-15 interceptor tracked the aircraft for over two hours before firing two air-to-air missiles, causing the Boeing 747 to spiral into the Sea of Japan.
Improvement implemented
President Reagan authorized civilian use of the GPS satellite navigation system, directly citing the KAL 007 navigation failure.
Improvement implemented
ICAO revised search-and-rescue obligations for states over whose territory aircraft disappear.
Improvement implemented
Protocols for intercepting and signaling civil aircraft were reviewed and strengthened under ICAO Annex 2.
Improvement implemented
Improved flight management system design to provide clearer indication of navigation mode and course deviations.
Improvement implemented
International calls for states to refrain from using lethal force against civil aircraft led to the 1984 amendment of the Chicago Convention (Article 3 bis).