Crash of a Douglas C-54M Skymaster near Ketama: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-9094
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tripoli – Kenitra
MSN:
27320
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 8 km southeast of Ketama. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of a Casa 352 off Tétouan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T.2B-268
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
159
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed into the sea off Tétouan while flying in foggy conditions. Two crew members were rescued while two others were killed.

Crash of a Boeing KC-97F-65-BO Stratotanker near Sidi Slimane

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
51-0325
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16392
YOM:
1951
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft suffered a fuel exhaustion in flight, so all crew members bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed about 10 km north of Sidi Slimane. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Douglas A-26C-25-DT Invader near El Jadida: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
43-22590
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sidi Slimane - Sidi Slimane
MSN:
18737
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4200
Circumstances:
The crew left Sidi Slimane AFB at 1826LT for a 2,5 hours training flight with two other similar aircraft. After departure, the captain completed the level off at an altitude of 2,000 feet and proceeded to the southwest. Later, while cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the crew completed several maneuvers and circuits then started his way back to Sidi Slimane AFB via Azemmour. Suddenly, the right engine failed. The captain increased power on the left engine that failed shortly later. He attempted to make an emergency landing in a field located near Cap Blanc, about 15 km southwest of El Jadida. After a night descent of 300 feet per minute with its landing gear down, the airplane landed at a speed of 130 knots in a field. After a course of dozen yards, it collided with a rocky wall, lost its both engines and came to rest. First rescuers arrived on site at 0200LT on January 15. Two crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew (based at Laon-Couvron AFB, France):
Col John Crocker, pilot, †
Cpt Gene Robert, copilot,
1st Lt Gordon Stewart, navigator, †
S/Sgt Theo McCool, gunner.
Probable cause:
The cause of the failure of the right engine could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the failure of the left engine was the result of a mistake on part of the pilot-in-command while trying to complete an emergency maneuver.

Crash of a SNCASO SO.30P Bretagne in Tangier: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-DABD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tangier – Casablanca
MSN:
34
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tangier-Boukhalef Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine. The captain decided to land asap. The airplane crash landed past the runway end, between the airport and the ocean. A passenger was killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Engine trouble after takeoff.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-3 Neptune off Port Lyautey

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
122935
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Lyautey - Port Lyautey
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Port Lyautey Airport, while climbing, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew decided to ditch the aircraft off shore and was quickly rescued. The airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Breguet 730 in Port Lyautey: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
33.S.3
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer - Port Lyautey
MSN:
2
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, south of Toulon, Var, to Port Lyautey, Morocco. The approach to the airbase was started from the southwest, but for unknown reason, the pilot was too low. The seaplane hit power cables and banked left, causing the left wing to hit the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled and crashed in flames along the Sebou River, few km from the airfield. Four crew members and three passengers were killed while all 20 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft christened 'Sirius' was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The four crew members (33S Squadron) who were killed were:
PM Maurice Souny,
2SM Roger Pouget,
2QM Raymond Jeandot,
SM Joseph Cariou.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the pilot who descended at a too low altitude and off the prescribed approach path.

Crash of a Vickers 458 Wellington XI off Mehdia: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MP696
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Port Lyautey - Port Lyautey
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Port Lyautey Airbase (now Kénitra), while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Mehdia. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (2F Squadron):
2nd Q/Mst Georges Nicolas 5.