On August 19, 1980, a shocking aviation disaster unfolded. That afternoon, Saudia Flight 163, having passed all pre-flight checks, was filled with excited passengers, ready for takeoff.
A Routine Flight Turns Deadly
The plane smoothly accelerated and took to the skies. Initially, there was joy and calm within the cabin. However, this was short lived. Only six minutes after takeoff, while still climbing, the fire alarm blared. The crew quickly discovered that there was a fire in the cargo hold and activated the fire suppression system. Unfortunately, the fire extinguishers failed to extinguish the fire, and it continued to spread.
A Smooth Landing, But No Escape
For the safety of everyone onboard, the pilot decided to turn back. He informed ground control of the emergency landing, and the 163 touched down safely at Riyadh Airport. However, strangely, the pilot did not apply the brakes, nor did he open the doors or shut off the engines. It was as if the plane was being controlled by some invisible force, and it continued to roll forward. 
The Crucial Minutes
The airport’s emergency teams were ready. They waited for the plane to stop rolling and the doors to open so they could begin rescue and firefighting efforts. After about 2 minutes and 40 seconds, the plane finally came to a halt, but the engines were still running. For another 3 minutes and 15 seconds, the engines continued to operate. Only after a very long wait, did they finally stop.
A Horrifying Discovery
The rescuers raced to the aircraft, hoping to open the doors and rescue those onboard. But the doors had been warped due to the intense heat, making them impossible to open. After a difficult 23 minutes, the rescue crews managed to open the doors. What they saw was a devastating scene: the roof of the plane had been burned through, and the passengers were piled up near the doors. All aboard had perished.
The Unanswered Questions
This “ghost flight” was filled with strange details and unanswered questions. If the passengers had died mid-flight, how did the plane land so smoothly? And if there were survivors, why did no one exit the plane? The reality was horrifying. By the time the plane had touched down, smoke and fire had spread rapidly throughout the cabin.
Panic and a Fatal Decision
Onboard Flight 163, the crew was unable to calm the passengers effectively. Panic quickly took over. Passengers crammed into the front section of the cabin, trying to escape the heavy smoke. If the plane had stopped immediately and the doors had opened, everyone might have survived.
A Preventable Tragedy
Unfortunately, the pilot stuck to standard emergency procedures and kept the passengers onboard. This was a fatal error. By the time he realized the severity of the situation, shut off the engines and tried to open the doors, it was too late. Due to the intensity of the fire, the door mechanisms were completely destroyed. The passengers were trapped in a deadly inferno. Everyone onboard died of asphyxiation, due to inhaling the hot smoke.
