Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in Pimu

Date & Time: Aug 2, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-OHLG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bangui - Pimu
MSN:
208-0061
YOM:
1985
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Bangui, the single engine aircraft bounced on landing. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 707-123B in Bangui: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2002 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9XR-IS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
N'Djamena - Brazzaville
MSN:
19335
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed N'Djamena Airport on a cargo flight to Brazzaville, carrying 21 passengers, nine crew members and a load of onions and garlic. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew reported technical problems with the undercarriage and was cleared to divert to Bangui Airport. The crew completed a holding circuit over Bangui to consume fuel then later started the descent to the airport. On final approach to runway 35, all four engines stopped simultaneously due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a residential area located 4 km short of runway. A crew member and one passenger were injured while 28 other people were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
The crew reported that the undercarriage could not be raised. Loss of control on final approach after all four engines stopped due to a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Berberati

Date & Time: May 19, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TL-ACO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bangui – Berberati
MSN:
9 51 16 39
YOM:
1975
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Berberati Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest with both wings severely damaged. All 33 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 737-242C in Douala

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1997 at 1748 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TU-TAV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Douala – Bangui – N’Djamena
MSN:
19848
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
RK816
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
106
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 23 at Douala Airport, at a speed of 110 knots, the crew noted a loud bang and decided to abort. The crew initiated an emergency braking procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and both engines before coming to rest 130 metres further, bursting into flames. All 114 occupants were evacuated, among them 20 were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Rejected takeoff after a tyre burst on the left main gear.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Moroubas: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1996 at 1006 LT
Operator:
Registration:
TL-ASB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bangui - Koumbala
MSN:
31-7852054
YOM:
1978
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
En route from Bangui to Koumbala, province of Bamingui-Bangoran, while cruising at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the pilot encountered technical problems with the right engine that was shut down and its propeller feathered. The pilot declared an emergency and elected to divert to Bambari Airport. Thirteen minutes later, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an isolated area located about 60 km northwest of Bambari Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Bangui

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BESN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
22377
YOM:
1945
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bangui Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered and engine failure. The captain elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft belly landed in a prairie and came to rest. All four occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying a load of six tons of meat.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Nord 2501 Noratlas near Boukpayanga: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BGZB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Berbérati – Bangui – Bambari
MSN:
2
YOM:
1952
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a special flight from Berberati to Bambari with an intermediate stop at Bangui, carrying a crew of three and Barthélemy Boganda, President of the Central African Republic and five members of his office. He was returning to the capital city after taking part to several discussions in Berberati. About 27 minutes after takeoff from Berberati Airport, while in cruising altitude, the right wing failed and detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in the savanna located near Boukpayanga. The airplane was totally destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the right wing detached in flight due to a structural failure caused by severe vibrations due to additional engines that were installed on this special Noratlas model.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sandringham 6 off Bangui

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN-LAI
Flight Type:
MSN:
S.1209
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Ubangi River off Bangui.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster near Bangui: 46 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1950 at 1937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BELB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – Bangui – Dar es-Salaam
MSN:
3084
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
46
Circumstances:
Four minutes after its takeoff from Bangui Airport, while climbing by night, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a hill located about 16 km south of Bangui. Three crew members and seven passengers were seriously injured while 46 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to perform the takeoff procedure by night without knowing properly the departure procedures and the topography in the vicinity of the aerodrome. It was reported that the Chief of the Aerodrome informed the pilot prior to departure about the presence of hills in the surroundings. For unknown reason, the pilot continued the initial climb at an insufficient altitude and initiated the first turn prematurely, causing the aircraft to hit the ground. The following factors were considered as contributory:
- lack of familiarity on behalf of the flying crew,
- poor visibility caused by night,
- incomplete flight chart for the Bangui area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-5-LO LodeStar near Bangui: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1945 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BALV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Paris – N’Djamena – Bangui – Antananarivo
MSN:
2380
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located about 60 km west of Bangui Airport. All eight occupants were killed, among them Prince Vinh San of Vietnam.
Crew:
Guy Porte, pilot,
Lucien Coulomb, radio navigator,
Louis Rebout, flight engineer.