Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF near Bir Moghreïn: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Registration:
N284
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Dakar - Agadir
MSN:
45203
YOM:
1957
Location:
Bir Moghreïn
Tiris Zemmour
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
En route from Dakar to Agadir, while cruising at the altitude of 11,000 feet, the aircraft was hit by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile. An engine detached and out of control, the aircraft entered a dive and crashed in a desert area near Bir Moghreïn. All five occupants were killed. They were on their way to Agadir on behalf of the United States Agency for International Development.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile fired by soldiers of the Front Polisario.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Defender near Bir Moghreïn: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
MSN:
787
YOM:
1976
Location:
Bir Moghreïn
Tiris Zemmour
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a survey flight when the twin engine airplane was shot down by rebels of the Front Polisario. The wreckage was found 72 km north of Bir Moghreïn, north Mauritania (exact position 25°52'13.5" N 11°27'25.5" W). The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Sidi Mohamed Ould Heyine, pilot,
Sgt Ely Ould Nafaa, navigator,
Sgt Mohamed Elhafedh Ould Zegrar Ould Khyar, mechanic.
Source: Mohamed Ould Heyine, Mauritania.
First photo: Defender at Atar Airport few weeks prior to the accident.
Probable cause:
Shot down by rebels of the Front Polisario.
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