Luzamba | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After landing at Luzamba Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to a halt. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-72 in Luzamba

Date & Time: Oct 6, 2000

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-72

Operator:

Registration:

TL-ACW

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

36572090796

YOM:

1990

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Circumstances:

On final approach to Luzamba Airport, the crew encountered atmospheric turbulences. The captain increased engine power, causing the approach speed to increase as well. The aircraft, too high, landed too far down the runway. Realizing the situation after touchdown, the captain abandoned the landing manoeuvre and initiated a go-around procedure. While climbing, the crew was aware he should follow a downwind circuit at low height because of hostile actions in the area. During the second approach, the crew forgot to lower the landing gear so the aircraft landed on its belly and slid for about 350 metres before coming to rest on the runway. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The crew failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to lower the landing gear during the second approach. As the landing gear were not lowered, an alarm sounded in the cockpit but the crew thought this was a mistake and failed to lower the gear or to initiate a second go-around procedure.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382G Hercules in Luzamba

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1999 at 0545 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

S9-BOP

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

4477

YOM:

1972

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Following a night visual approach to Luzamba Airport, the crew landed the aircraft in the first metres of the runway. For unknown reasons, the aircraft lifted off and floated few cm above the runway surface for few seconds before landing a second time. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (the gravel runway is 1,500 metres long), the aircraft overran, went down an embankment and came to rest 16 metres further. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B near Luzamba: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Registration:

TN-AFR

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Luanda – Saurimo

MSN:

8 3 455 02

YOM:

1968

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While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Luanda to Saurimo, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing near Luzamba. A crew member was killed and four others were captured by UNITA rebels.

Probable cause:

Shot down by an UNITA surface-to-air missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 near Luzamba

Date & Time: May 12, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

Avia Volga Atlantik

Registration:

D2-FBN

Flight Phase:

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Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Luzamba - Luanda

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After takeoff from Luzamba Airport, while on a cargo flight to Luanda on behalf of the Angolan operator Avita Serviços Aéreos, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile that struck an engine. The crew reduced his altitude and was able to make an emergency landing in an open field some 30 km from Luzamba. All five occupants evacuated safely but were captured by UNITA rebels.

Probable cause:

Shut down by a UNITA surface-to-air missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Luzamba: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

Air Angol

Registration:

EL-ANZ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Luanda - Luzamba

MSN:

139 06

YOM:

1984

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Circumstances:

Following a visual approach, the aircraft landed too far down the runway which is 1,500 metres long. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest in a ravine, bursting into flames. 25 people escaped uninjured while nine others were injured and two passengers were killed.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who was apparently intoxicated at the time of the accident.