Pan Am Flight 103 Air Crash Investigation In Brief

By Catalina Nielsen


Later this year it will be 25 years since a Scottish village was thrust into the world's spotlight due to terrorism. That village is Lockerbie, and the act of terrorism caused the loss of 270 lives. Only 38 minutes into a journey between London and New York, the Jumbo Jet exploded in midair killing all of those onboard. This is a shortened account of the Pan Am flight 103 air crash investigation.

Due to the incident happening so high up, 31000 feet, the ensuing debris and wreckage landed over a vast area. The surveys had to be carried out by military helicopters as the area to be covered was so big, even satellite pictures were used. In an odd way a stroke of luck meant that the plane's departure at London was delayed. So instead of the wreckage falling out to sea it fell on land.

After finger tip searches more than ten thousand bits of debris were collected. Each one was listed and entered into a computer. Several major pieces came down on or near to this Scottish village. Two local boys found the black box voice recorder the next day near to some woods.

More than a thousand people became involved with this analysis, it was a huge operation and a large part of southern Scotland was searched. Even the military were called on to help with manpower and equipment. Any item which was recovered went to the local school's gymnasium. There it was subjected to x-rays and looked at with a gas chromatograph.

Initially there was no clue about what had brought the aircraft down. After three days it started to become clear that it had been caused by an explosion, as traces of a Semtex type substance were being found. Also parts of an electronic timer were allegedly found amongst the debris.

The UK's AAIB slowly, and with great care, began the process of reconstructing the plane's fuselage section. As a result they were able to determine the location of the explosion, as an area of 20 square inches had severe blast damage. This was located alongside the forward hold area.

The recovered baggage containers all had damage expected following their fall from altitude. However there were two which also had some other unusual damage. By using the loading records they were able to determine their actual positions within the hold. Tests were carried out to see how much explosives would be needed to create the same damage, and also where it would be placed.

Piece by piece it was possible for the investigators to state which piece of luggage held the explosive device. Also what it contained. From clothing labels they were able to narrow the point of origin to Malta. They were even able to interview the merchant who sold the clothes. In his statements he described, and later identified, the person who had bought the clothes.

The Pan Am flight 103 air crash investigation took more than 3 years to complete. Agencies from various countries assisted throughout, but it was mainly overseen by those from the UK and America. Thanks to their diligence the suspects were sent for trial, which was held in Holland.




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