Rabat

Schedule:

Conakry – Rabat – Prague – Moscow

MSN:

181 0037 03

YOM:

1961

Location:

Casablanca-Anfa (Cazes)

Grand Casablanca

Country:

Region:

Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft departed Conakry Airport on an international scheduled flight to Moscow with intermediate stops at Rabat and Prague. While descending to Rabat, the pilot was informed by ATC that it was not possible to land in Rabat due to poor weather conditions and was vectored and rerouted to Casablanca-Anfa Airport. Unfamiliarized with this airport, the pilot-in-command started the approach to runway 21 at an insufficient altitude when he spotted a building in the approach path. He increased power and gain altitude, causing the aircraft to pass over the glide but continued the approach, causing the airplane to land too far down the runway. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest 300 meters further. All 102 occupants were evacuated, among them 10 were injured. The aircraft was destroyed and its wreckage caused the airport to be closed to all traffic for three days.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew. As the landing procedure seems to be non compliant, the crew should attempt an go-around manoeuvre.

Crash of a Sud-Aviation SE.210 Caravelle III in Rabat: 77 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1961 at 2109 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

F-BJTB

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Paris – Rabat – Casablanca

MSN:

YOM:

1961

Flight number:

AF2005

Location:

Rabat

Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10693

Captain / Total hours on type:

344.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3858

Copilot / Total hours on type:

988

Aircraft flight hours:

688

Circumstances:

After a normal flight from Orly Airport, Paris, Flight 2005, Paris-Rabat-Casablanca, reported over the Rabat-Sale Airport, where meteorological conditions were unfavorable owing to thick, low fog which reduced horizontal visibility and ceiling. The pilot reported his intention to attempt a break-through over the non directional beacon; the control tower immediately replied that that facility was not in line with the runway, but the message was not acknowledged. The aircraft crashed to the ground at 2109 hours GMT. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and the fire which followed.
Crew:
Mr. Seaume, pilot,
Mr. Simeoni, copilot,
Mr. Nicora, mechanic,
Mrs. Metenier, stewardess,
Mr. Duhamel, steward,
Mr. Jacomon, steward.

Probable cause:

In the opinion of the board of inquiry of all the theories listed above, those related related to material failure appear the least likely. On the other hand, the theory regarding an error in instrument reading appears more probable than the others. Therefore, the Board explained the failure:
1) by the fact that reading of the Kollsman window altimeter, with which this Caravelle was equipped, may be delicate, as demonstrated by some systematic tests carried out by highly trained crews of various European airlines ;
2) by the possibility that the pilot made that error of 1,000 feet at the beginning of the descent, retaining it, then gave his full attention to reading the pointer, which seemed to him to be of prime importance, in order to bring in the aircraft at the minimum authorized altitude.

Final Report:

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18B in Casablanca: 72 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1961 at 0125 LT

Type of aircraft:

Ilyushin II-18

Operator:

Registration:

OK-PAF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Casablanca-Nouasseur (Mohammed V)

Schedule:

Prague – Zurich – Rabat – Dakar – Conakry – Bamako

MSN:

181 0029 04

YOM:

1961

Flight number:

OK511

Location:

Grand Casablanca

Country:

Region:

Caudron C.630/C.635 Simoun

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10560

Captain / Total hours on type:

826.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

6301

Copilot / Total hours on type:

223

Aircraft flight hours:

268

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Zurich at 2043LT on 11 July. The en route part of the flight trip was uneventful. At 01:00 the aircraft contacted Sale Tower and requested weather information. The tower replied: "visibility 10 m (30 ft), ground fog, clear sky." The flight then advised it was heading for Casablanca, the alternate. At 01:06 the aircraft gave its position as 5 miles from Casablanca-Anfa (CAS), requested permission to descend and asked for landing instructions. The aircraft was asked to call when on the downwind leg. Four minutes later the flight was asked to call when on final approach and was told that he was number one for landing, the surface wind was 040°at 4 kts. The pilot replied that he would call when over the range station. The aircraft flew over the field at 01:13, and three minutes later the pilot gave his altitude as 400 m (1300 ft) and indicated a ceiling of 150 m (500 ft). The flight was advised that cloud was 7/8, ceiling 140-150 m (450 to 500 ft). Three minutes later conditions were 7/8, 100 m (330 ft). At 01:22 the aircraft requested permission to land in Casablanca-Nouasseur Airport (CMN) if possible, and the tower asked him to wait. Two minutes later the aircraft was asked how much fuel it had remaining. It replied it had enough for 90 minutes. During the time Anfa control was transmitting this request to the American authorities in Nouasseur, the aircraft crashed at 01:25, in line with runway 03 about 8 miles from its threshold.

Probable cause:

None of the assumptions i.e. Material failure, electrical failure, abrupt manoeuvre to avoid another aircraft and unfavorable weather conditions, satisfied the investigating commission as being a definite cause of the accident. The last one, however, although unlikely at first sight, could account for the accident if the crew warned of the deteriorating weather by the Anfa tower had decided to take advantage of the partial visibility (of the ground) between stratus cloud and had attempted a fast let-down in unfavorable conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Caudron C.635 Simoun in Rabat

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

482

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Location:

Rabat

Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot encountered technical problems after takeoff from Rabat Airport. The airplane crashed five minutes later in a vegetable garden near the airport. All three occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Adj/C Jean Jouquant.
Passengers:
Cdt Ohroix,
Sgt/C Chalard.

Crash of an aircraft in Al Hoceima: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Unknown

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Rabat - Algiers

Location:

Al Hoceima

Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Taza-Al Hoceima, while performing a flight to Algiers. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III into the Bay of Biscay: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1943 at 0555 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

ED735

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Rabat – Coningsby

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew left Rabat at 2340LT on November 17 bound for RAF Coningsby. While overflying the Bay of Biscay north of the Portuguese coast, the aircraft was lost around 0555LT, probably after being shot down by a German fighter. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (617th Squadron):
F/Lt E. E. G. Youseman, pilot,
F/S S. Wittingham,
F/O E. Fleshka,
F/O W. C. Grimes,
W/O A. Laughland,
F/Sgt R. Florence,
W/O J. B. O'Grady.

Crash of a Breguet 14A.2 in Rabat: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1927

Type of aircraft:

Breguet 14

Operator:

Registration:

F-ALRA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Casablanca - Oran

MSN:

7334.18

YOM:

1920

Location:

Rabat

Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed near Rabat, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Breguet 14 in Fez: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1922

Type of aircraft:

Breguet 14

Operator:

Registration:

F-ALNA

Flight Phase: