SHOT FIRED AT PLANE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28671, 22 August 1958, Page 11

SHOT FIRED AT PLANE

Investigation At Beirut (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 20. The London Press Service diplomatic correspondent reported today that an investigation is being made of circumstances in which a British civil aircraft was

fired on yesterday near Beirut. The aircraft involved was a British Overseas Airways Corporation Britannia airliner, which was flying from Bahrein. When the aircraft landed at Beirut airport shortly before 1 o’clock on Tuesday morning it was found that one of its fuel tanks had been pierced by a .303 bullet. Evidence pointed to the shot having been fired from the ground while the machine was approaching the airport.

The circumstances were reported by 8.0.A.C. to the Director of Civil Aviation at Beirut, who ordered an immediate investigation. The aircraft had to remain grounded for 24 hours. This incident recalls a Syrian attempt to shoot down a Lebanese civil aircraft over Damascus airport on August 12. In that case a Dakota of Middle East Airlines, carrying 30 passengers on a scheduled flight from Jerusalem to Beirut, was within a minute’s flight of the Syrian-Lebanese frontier when it was ordered by radio to turn and land at Damascus.