China Southern Airlines Flight 3943

China Southern Airlines Flight 3943 was a China Southern Airlines flight from the former Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou to Guilin Qifengling Airport, Guilin, China. On 24 November 1992, the Boeing 737-300 crashed on a mountain while descending to Guilin Airport, killing all 141 people aboard.

Accident

Flight 3943 departed from the former Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on 07:17 CST (23:17 UTC) and cruised at an altitude of 7000 m. During the descent towards Guilin, at an altitude of 7000 ft, the captain attempted to level off the plane by raising the nose. The plane's autothrottle was engaged for descent, but the crew did not notice that the number 2 power lever was at idle. This led to an asymmetrical power condition. The airplane rolled to the right, and the crew was unable to regain control. At 07:52 CST (23:52 UTC), the plane crashed at Mount Tianma, 12.5 mi south of Guilin Qifengling Airport in Yangdi Township, Yangshuo County. It was the deadliest accident involving a Boeing 737-300 at the time, as well as the deadliest on Chinese soil; As of June 2025, it is still the second-deadliest accident in both of those categories, behind Flash Airlines Flight 604, and China Northwest Airlines Flight 2303, respectively. It is also the accident with the highest number of fatalities involving a China Southern Airlines aircraft.