Country
Algeria
code

Béchar

Crash of a Nord 262A-44 in Béchar: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1979 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Nord 262
Operator:
Registration:
7T-VSU
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Adrar - Béchar
MSN:
19
YOM:
1966
Location:
Béchar
Béchar
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
On approach to Béchar Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a desert area located about 15 km from the runway threshold. 14 passengers were killed while nine other occupants, among them all three crew members, were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Poor approach planning,
- The crew failed to comply with published procedures,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Crew fatigue,
- A possible malfunction of the captain altimeter.

Crash of a North American B-25D-10 Mitchell near Colomb-Béchar: 13 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1947 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
GLAM - Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles
Registration:
41-30330
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Oran - Colomb-Béchar
MSN:
87-8495
Location:
Béchar
Béchar
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Captain / Total flying hours:
2050
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1500
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Tailly 2' left Oran at 1015LT in marginal weather conditions. Enroute, due to sandstorm, the captain decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground. Twice, the crew informed ground that his ETA in Colomb-Béchar was delayed about fifteen minutes. While descending at a too low altitude, the twin engine aircraft hit the ground near a railroad and crashed in a huge explosion about 56 km north of Colomb-Béchar. All thirteen occupants were killed, among them the French General Philippe Leclerc. Thirteen bodies were recovered and evacuated to France, but only twelve of them were identified. A thirteenth occupant, wearing a French Army uniform with the grade of Lieutenant was recovered but unidentified.
Crew:
Lt François-René Delluc, pilot,
Lt André-René Pilleboue, navigator,
Adj Jean Guillou, mechanic,
Sgt Eugène Lamotte, radio operator.
Passengers:
Gen Philippe Leclerc,
Col Théodore Fieschi,
Col Charles Clémentin,
Col Louis du Garreau de la Méchenie,
Col Paul Fouchet,
Cpt Georges Frichement,
Cdt Michel Meyrrand,
S/Lt Robert Miron de L'Espinay.
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