Senegal | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Some 90 minutes after its departure from Bathurst, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean off the Senegalese coast. The crew was unable to send any distress call. SAR operations were conducted and after few days, some debris and six dead bodies were found on the West African coast. None of the 19 occupants survived.

Probable cause:

It is believed the aircraft went out of control or exploded in flight following a sudden and uncontained failure on the fuel supply system.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I off Dakar: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1940 at 0916 LT

Type of aircraft:

Supermarine Walrus

Operator:

Registration:

L2247

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The floatplane departed HMAS Australia to spot the shell fire during the bombardment of the French fleet at Dakar when it was shot down by the pilot of a Vichy French Curtiss 75 and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Dakar. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt George John Isiah Clarke +2.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Vichy French fighter.

Crash of a Latécoère 28.3 off Saint-Louis

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1930

Type of aircraft:

Latécoère 28

Operator:

Registration:

F-AJNQ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Natal – Saint Louis du Sénégal

MSN:

919

YOM:

1930

Location:

Saint Louis du Sénégal

Saint-Louis Region

Country:

Senegal

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On the 13 of May 1930, the crew completed a non stop flight from Saint Louis (Senegal) to Natal in 21 hours and 10 minutes, establishing a new record. Between the 8 of June and the 8 of July, the crew tried 52 times to fly back to Senegal, without success. Each time, a technical failure forced the crew to return. On the 8 of July, the aircraft completed the flight from Natal to Saint Louis. While approaching the African coast, the engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft some 900 metres offshore. All three crew members were rescued by the crew of ship named 'Phocée' while the aircraft named 'Comte De La Vaux' sank.
Crew:
Jean Mermoz, pilot,
Jean Dabry, mechanic,
Léopold Gimié, radio navigator.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Latécoère 26-6-R in Saint Louis

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1927

Type of aircraft:

Latécoère 26

Operator:

Registration:

F-ESDF

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Nouakchott - Saint Louis - Dakar

MSN:

YOM:

1925

Location:

Saint Louis du Sénégal

Saint-Louis Region

Country:

Senegal

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed for unknown reason while on final approach to Saint Louis, Senegal. Both crew members were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Breguet 14A.2 in Thiès: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1927

Type of aircraft:

Breguet 14

Operator:

Registration:

F-AGBN

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Saint Louis - Dakar

MSN:

229

YOM:

1924

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After a stop in Saint Louis, the crew was approaching Dakar Airport when the aircraft crashed west of Thiès, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Crew:
Edmond Lasalle, pilot,
Mr Moreau, mechanic.