Country
code

Kano

Crash of a BAc 111-525FT in Kano: 149 killed

Date & Time: May 4, 2002 at 1335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ESF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Jos - Kano - Lagos
MSN:
266
YOM:
1980
Flight number:
EXW4226
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
71
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
85
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a regular schedule flight from Jos to Lagos with an intermediate stop in Kano. Weather conditions were good but the OAT at the time of the accident was +42° C. Due to construction works (retreatment of the asphalt surface), the longest runway 24/06 was closed to traffic so the crew was departing from runway 23 at Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport which is 2,600 metres long. Due to high temperature and reduced performances, the aircraft used the entire runway length, overran and rolled on a grassy area for few dozen metres before lifting off. During initial climb, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height and to follow a positive rate of climb when it collided with obstacles and crashed in the district of Gwammaja located about 2 km past the end of runway 23. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire as well a several buildings, among them a school and a mosque. Among the 77 people on board the aircraft, six survived (five passengers and one stewardess). All 71 other occupants were killed as well as 78 people on the ground. More than 70 other people on the ground were injured, some seriously. It was later reported that the aircraft was out of service for 52 days due to engine problems. Nevertheless, both engines were changed few days prior to the accident and accumulated 10 hours of flight since.

Crash of a BAe 125-700B in Kano: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1996 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-AXO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lagos - Kano
MSN:
257196
YOM:
1983
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The approach to Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport was completed by night but in good weather conditions. On final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed in a field located 7,2 km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed, among them Ibrahim Abacha aged 28, son of General Sani Abacha, President of the Republic of Nigeria. It is unclear if the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain or if the aircraft suffered an engine problems or if it was shot down.

Crash of a Boeing 707-321C in Kano

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1992 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5X-DAR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
London - Kano - Lagos
MSN:
18825
YOM:
1964
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The descent to Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport was completed by night and marginal weather conditions due to a sand storm. On short final, the aircraft was too low, struck the ground and crashed near military barracks located 3,2 km short of runway 06 threshold. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. At the time of the accident, the runway 06 ILS and DME systems were inoperative.

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-54F in Kano

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9G-MKB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ostende - Kano
MSN:
45860
YOM:
1966
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Kano Airport, while in a flat attitude about 8 km from the runway threshold, the crew lowered the flaps when the aircraft lost height and struck trees. It descended into the ground, lost its undercarriage and slid for 150 metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames against trees. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 1000 in Kano: 16 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1978 at 1243 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ANA
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Abuja - Kano
MSN:
11993
YOM:
1970
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Aircraft flight hours:
10625
Aircraft flight cycles:
13303
Circumstances:
While descending to Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, the crew was instructed to maintain FL65 as a Nigerian Air Force MiG-21 was performing touch-and-go maneuvers at the same airport. After the jet trainer completed its touch-and-go and was taking off, its crew was informed about the approach of the F28 which should land first on runway 05. On short final, both aircraft collided and crashed in flames about 2 km short of runway threshold. Both aircraft were destroyed and all 18 occupants were killed. The exact circumstances and causes of the in-flight collision are unclear.

Crash of a Boeing 707-3D3C in Kano: 176 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1973 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JY-ADO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jeddah - Lagos
MSN:
20494/850
YOM:
1971
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
193
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
176
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Jeddah to Lagos on behalf of Nigeria Airways, carrying Nigerian pilgrims flying back home. En route, the crew was informed about bad weather in Lagos and was rerouted to Kano-Mallam Aminu Kano Airport. On final approach, the pilot-in-command encountered mist when during the last segment, control was lost. The airplane nosed down and struck the runway surface with its nose gear first. On impact, the nose gear collapsed then both main gears touched the ground and punctured the fuel tanks. Out of control, the airplane skidded on runway, lost its both left engines then made a 180 turn before coming to rest in flames. Three crew members and 23 passengers were rescued while 176 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. Up to date, this was the worst plane crash in History.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident remain unclear. Nevertheless, it is believed that control was lost on short final due to wake turbulences and the aircraft adopted a nose-down attitude before crashing onto the runway.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Kano: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ABM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kano – Kaduna
MSN:
443
YOM:
1964
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Kano Airport, the float equipped aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all seven occupants, among them ex Minister Sanna Buker.

Crash of a Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster in Kano: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1961 at 2323 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
D-ABEB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hamburg – Luxembourg – Tripoli – Kano – Léopoldville
MSN:
10530
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
600
Aircraft flight hours:
32850
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Tripoli, the crew started a night approach to Kano-Intl Airport. On final, the airplane struck the ground 3,2 km short of runway 07 threshold and crashed. A passenger was killed while six other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of an error of judgement on the part of the captain, who, after sighting the runway lights, concentrated on keeping them in sight and failed to make adequate reference to his flight instruments. As a result, he allowed the aircraft to descend below the obstacle clearance limit of 360 feet. In the darkness with no ground reference, the distant runway lights gave him insufficient guidance as to his height and angle of approach, and he was unaware that the aircraft had descended to ground level. The fatigue of the captain and the failure to put the aircraft's landing lights ON were considered as contributing factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair C-4M Argonaut in Kano: 32 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1956 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ALHE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lagos – Kano – Tripoli – London
MSN:
151
YOM:
1949
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed runway 25 at Kano Airport for Tripoli in moderate rain and climbed to an altitude of 250 feet. The aircraft then began to lose height rapidly and although the pilot-in- command ordered full power, the descent could not be checked. Notwithstanding the increased power he was unable to prevent it striking a tree and the aircraft crashed about 1,5 mile from the end of the runway. Three crew members and 29 passengers were killed. At time of takeoff, the reported weather conditions on runway 25 were as follows: cloud 3/8, base at 2,500 feet, wind 270° at 20 knots, visibility 1,500 yards and moderate rain.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of loss of height and airspeed caused by the aircraft en- countering, at approximately 250 feet after takeoff, an unpredictable thunderstorm cell which gave rise to a sudden reversal of wind direction, heavy rain, and possible downdraught conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in Kano: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1948 at 0833 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BBDC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lagos – Kano – Algiers – Paris
MSN:
42935
YOM:
1946
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Following the failure of the starter on engine number one, the crew was unable to restart this engine and received the authorization to perform an empty leg back to Paris for maintenance purposes. During the takeoff roll in Kano Airport, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway before colliding with a BOAC technical hangar. A crew member was killed while five others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Pilots : Mr. Salvetat & Marchandise.
Probable cause:
Important skid marks were noted on the runway, coming from the nose wheel that was locked at the time of the accident. Apparently, the crew failed to follow the pre-flight checklist and did not realized the nose wheel was not configured for the takeoff procedure.