Date & Time

25 December 2003 at 1455LT

Crew on board

10

Type of Aircraft

Pax on board

151

Company name

Crew fatalities

8

Registration

3X-GDO - (2)

Pax fatalities

132

Location

Cotonou-Cadjehoun Airport, Benin

Schedule

Flight GIH141 Conakry - Cotonou - Beyrouth

Total fatalities

140

Construction number

21370

Year of manufacture

1977

Taking-off from runway 06/24 at Cotonou-Cadjehoun Airport, the three engine aircraft struck a small building (radio equipment) located at the end of the runway with its main landing gear. Out of control, the aircraft crashed on the beach and exploded in many debris. The weather at the time of the accident was fine with good visibility and 32° C. outside temperature. The 06/24 runway is 7'874 feet long and the present aircraft needed, with 161 people on board and its takeoff mass, at least 8'000 feet for takeoff.