Country
code

Montserrado

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Monrovia

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1996 at 1037 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-87573
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Freetown - Monrovia
MSN:
9 22 05 22
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Freetown, the three engine aircraft encountered windshear on final approach to Monrovia, lost height and struck the ground 5 metres before the runway threshold (0.8-1 meter below the runway elevation). The left main gear was torn off and the aircraft slid/rolled for about 300 metres before coming to rest. All 11 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on short final after the aircraft encountered windshear.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Monrovia

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-BBA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kano – Lagos – Accra – Monrovia
MSN:
47217
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
82
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Monrovia-James Spriggs Payne Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with a visibility limited due to heavy rain falls. On final, the aircraft struck the ground short of runway threshold, causing the undercarriage to be torn off. The aircraft slid on its belly for about 500 metres before coming to rest on the runway. All 91 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
In poor weather conditions, the crew continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude until the aircraft impacted terrain short of runway threshold. The lack of visibility caused by the heavy rain falls remains a contributing factor, but the crew should have made the decision to initiate a go-around procedure since the landing was obviously missed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Monrovia

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1994 at 1058 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-BBE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Banjul – Freetown – Monrovia – Accra – Lagos
MSN:
45872
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
ADK018
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
74
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
62484
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Banjul, Gambia, on an international scheduled service to Lagos with intermediate stops in Freetown, Monrovia and Accra. The approach to Monrovia-James Spriggs Payne Airport runway 23 was completed in poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. On final, at a distance of 4 km from the runway threshold, the captain confirmed that visual contact with the runway was established and continued the approach. At an excessive speed, the airplane passed over the runway threshold at a height of 150 feet and landed too far down the runway, about 3,000 feet past its threshold. On a wet runway surface, despite full brakes and reverse thrusts were deployed, the aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining distance. It overran at a speed of 80 knots and came to rest 120 metres further, bursting into flames. All 85 occupants were rescued, among them few were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who completed the approach at an excessive speed and well above the glide, causing the aircraft to land too far down runway 23 which is 1,800 metres long. Poor braking action due to wet runway surface was considered as a contributing factor as well as the fact that the crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure as the landing maneuver was obviously missed.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander in Monrovia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9L-LAV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monrovia - Freetown
MSN:
767
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Monrovia-James Spriggs Payne Airport on a schedule flight to Freetown-Lungi Airport, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to return for an emergency landing. When he realized he could not make it, he attempted to land in an open field. Upon landing, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and crashed. The pilot and one passenger were killed while eight other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Vickers 814 Viscount in Monrovia

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9G-ACL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
342
YOM:
1959
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing, one of the undercarriage collapsed. The airplane slid on runway, veered off runway and eventually came to rest in rough terrain. All four crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Koolhoven FK.50A in Monrovia: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
EL-ADV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Monrovia – Bassa
MSN:
5003
YOM:
1935
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Monrovia Airport for unknown reason. The twin engine aircraft built in 1935 was enroute to Bassa, carrying three crew and various goods for the market. On board was one French citizen, one Swiss and one Guinean.