Region

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Nouakchott: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 2012 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nouakchott - Tasiast
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a special flight to the Tasiast Airstrip deserving the Gold Mine of Tasiast on behalf of the Kinross Gold Corporation. Shortly after take off from Nouakchott, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a desert area located past the runway end, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed and aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots were Mauritanian Customs Officers while among the passengers were three Security Officers of the Kinross Gold Corporation who were in charge to transfer a load of gold back to Nouakchott.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK in Nouadhibou

Date & Time: Apr 10, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
3C-AWU
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nouakchott – Nouadhibou – Lisbon
MSN:
8 34 58 04
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nouadhibou Airport, while in initiale climb, one of the engine caught fire. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a beach located 6 km from the airport. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest, bursting into flames. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine fire during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Xian Yunsunji Y-7H-500 in Néma: 39 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1998 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Néma - Nouakchott
MSN:
00 7H 03
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to Nouakchott with 35 passengers and seven crew members who accompanied the President of the Republic of Mauritania on an official visit of the Hodh Ech Chargui Region. All passengers were members of the Mauritanian Army fanfare. Shortly after a night takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. Three passengers were seriously injured while 39 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after one of the engine failed for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Xian Yunsunji Y-7H-100 off Nouadhibou: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nouadhibou - Nouakchott
MSN:
00 7H 01
YOM:
1996
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nouadhibou Airport, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea, killing all eight occupants.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of an engine failure.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 4000 in Tidjikdja: 80 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1994 at 0820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-CLF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nouakchott - Tidjikdja
MSN:
11092
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
MR251
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
89
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
80
Circumstances:
On approach to Tidjikdja Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to a sandstorm. Unable to establish a visual contact with the runway, the captain initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, the crew attempted a second approach while the weather conditions did not improve. At a height of about 25 metres above the airfield, the aircraft nosed down and violently struck the runway surface. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and out of control, the aircraft veered off runway and eventually collided with rocks, bursting into flames. Thirteen passengers were rescued while 80 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The approach was completed in below weather minima and the crew continued the descent without establishing a visual contact with the ground and runway. At the time of the accident, the visibility and the RVR were below minimums. Considering the situation, the crew should divert to another suitable airport.

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

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N284
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dakar - Agadir
MSN:
45203
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
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 Tupolev TU-154B-1 off Nouadhibou: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1980 at 0304 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YR-TPH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bucharest – Nouadhibou
MSN:
78A277
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
16
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
162
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On a night approach to Nouadhibou Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility. When the aircraft reached the decision height of 300 feet on final, a missed approach procedure was initiated when the captain thought he had a visual contact with the runway. He decided to continue the approach when the airplane contacted water and crashed into the sea less than one km short of runway threshold. A passenger was killed while 18 others were injured. The airplane was destroyed,
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain (water) after the crew continued the approach after passing the decision height in marginal and limited visibility.

Crash of a Fairchild F27A in Nouakchott

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-CJY
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
28
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed upon landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

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

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
787
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
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.