Southwest | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot was completing a flight from the US to Zaïre with intermediate stops in Prestwick, Monrovia and Douala, and was supposed to deliver the airplane to Air Congo. While approaching Douala Airport, seven minutes before the ETA, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Cameroon located 64 km west of the airport. As the airplane failed to arrive at Douala Airport, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the airplane was found. The wreckage was found two years later in an isolated area. The pilot Lord Malcolm A. Douglas-Hume was accompanied with his son and wife. All three were killed in the accident.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B on Mt Cameroon: 55 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1963 at 1427 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

F-BIAO

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Douala – Lagos

MSN:

45479

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total hours on type:

6561.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

4811

Copilot / Total hours on type:

3435

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft departed Douala Airport at 1416LT bound for Lagos. While climbing to an altitude of 6,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Cameroon located 63 km northwest of Douala Airport. The wreckage was located few hours later 800 meters below the summit. Two passengers were seriously injured while 53 other occupants were killed. Three days after the crash, on May 6, one of the survivor died from his injuries and on May 9, the second survivor died as well.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by a lack of caution on the part of the pilot-in-command who deliberately selected a route which led the aircraft into a dangerous and even prohibited sector at too low an altitude. Also, he neglected his navigation and transferred to instrument flight when approaching the mountain range.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B on Mt Koupé: 12 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1955

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

Operator:

Registration:

F-BGOI

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Yaoundé – Douala

MSN:

14010

YOM:

1953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft left Yaoundé at 1658LT four a short flight to Douala, ETA 1730LT. While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Koupé (2,064 meters high) located about 80 km north of Douala. As the airplane failed to arrive, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 12 occupants was found. On 19 February 1956, walkers found the wreckage in a dense wooded area on Mt Koupé.

Probable cause:

The accident seems to be the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain. Nevertheless, investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident and the reason why the flight was off course to the north as the aircraft crashed 80 km north of Douala on a flight from the east.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 on Mt Cameroun: 29 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1951 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-4

Operator:

Registration:

F-BBDO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Brazzaville – Pointe Noire – Libreville – Douala – Niamey – Algiers – Marseille – Paris

MSN:

42992

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft christened 'Ciel de Savoie' left Douala Airport at 1408LT bound for Niamey. Four minutes after takeoff, the crew modified his route and continued to the northwest at an altitude of 8,500 feet. About twenty minutes later, while flying in good weather conditions but facing the sun, the pilot in command realized he was facing a mountain and immediately made a sharp turn to the left when the left wing hit trees. Out of control, the aircraft crashed on the Mt Cameroon and disintegrated on impact. All 29 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Jean Chansel, pilot,
Jean Gavignet, copilot,
Roger Roure, radio navigator,
Paul Frederic, mechanic,
Lina Cotton, stewardess,
Georges Vilard, steward.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the collision with the mountain was caused by a navigation error on part of the flying crew who decided, four minutes after takeoff from Douala Airport, to abandon the current procedure and followed a different route. The crew failed to follow the prescribed flight plan and to check the improvised route. Error of judgement and overconfidence on part of the crew were considered as contributory factors.

Final Report: