Boké Region | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

During the takeoff roll from Sambailo Airport, at a speed of 180 km/h, the pilot-in-command realized he could not takeoff so he initiated an emergency braking procedure. As a distance of 350 metres was remaining, the aircraft was unable to stop within the distance, overran and came to rest. All 24 occupants escaped unhurt.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures and failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist. The aircraft was unable to gain sufficient speed because the parking brake was not fully released.

Crash of a Boeing B-17F-20-VE Flying Fortress off Boffa

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

42-5770

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

West Palm Beach - Belém - Natal - Dakar

MSN:

17-6066

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Morrison AFB, West Palm Beach, on a flight to Dakar with intermediate stops in Belém and Natal. While approaching Guinea on the leg from Natal to Dakar, the engine n°3 lost oil and its propeller could not be feathered. Because of the drag caused by a windmilling propeller, the fuel consumption was higher than expected and the airplane ran out of fuel. The airplane was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean some 40 km west of Boffa. All crew members were rescued and the airplane sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Oil leak on the engine n°3 and its windmilling propeller that could not be feathered caused an excessive fuel consumption, thus the airplane ran out of fuel.