Lovely scene at Gatwick from the old roof terraces, including an Austrian Caravelle and BUA VC10. OY-STI joined Sterling new in May 1969 and on 15th January 1992 flew their last Caravelle commercial flight CPH-LUX-CPH. Leased to Air Toulouse International as F-GHKN in February 1992, it returned in September for storage at Kastrup. In August 1993 it was sold to SEC Colombia as HK-3855X but was written off on 15th March 1994 on take-off from Bogotá carrying explosives when a tyre burst. It returned after burning off fuel but overran the runway, the pilot retracting the landing gear to halt it.

Built and delivered to Sterling Airways as SE-STI in 1969. Flew with Red Sterling titles some months in 1990. January 15th 1992 OY-STI flew the final Sterling Airways Caravelle flight CPH-LUX-CPH. February 1992 F-GHKN Air Toulouse. September 1992 OY-STI returned and stored at Kastrup. August 23rd 1993 HK-3855, later rr HK3855. March 15th 1994 HK-3855 written off at Bogota tire burst on take-off and airplane came back for landing after burning some fuel, overshot runway and pilot retracted gear to stop the rolling plane (airplane was carrying boxes of explosives), Seen at rwy 24 in August 1989. Scanned from original slide

Photo by Chris J. Mak

small 25 years sticker beneath forward door

Ex Sterling OY-STI & Air Toulouse Int. F-GHKN - crashlanded Bogota 15 March 1994 with a load of explosives - and didn't blow up

Basic Sterling livery

Charter flight with supporters for the Scotland - France rugby international

K25 slide scan. Delivered 1969. Leased to Air Toulouse February to September 1992. Sold to SEC Colombia as HK-3855 August 1993. Tire burst on take off Bogota 15 March 1994, returned for landing but overran runway and damaged beyond repair. Seen here climbing away from runway 15.

Later F-GHKN, OY-STI, HK-3855X. Written off at Bogota 13-Mar-1994

Very evidently an ex-Sterling Airways aircraft (ex OY-STI), it even still has Sterling's "Sky Jet" name on the engine nacelle.