Country

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 near Gambela: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1989 at 1210 LT
Registration:
ET-AIL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Addis Ababa - Funyido
MSN:
699
YOM:
1980
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was on its way from Addis Ababa to a refugee camp in Funyido on a humanitarian mission (food program in Ethiopia). About an hour and thirty minutes into the flight, the aircraft entered an area of poor weather conditions over mountainous terrain. While cruising at an altitude of 3,600 feet, it struck the slope of a mountain located about 30 km southeast from Gambela. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage was found a week later in an isolated area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 16 occupants were killed, among them Thomas Mickey Leland, US Secretary of State.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK in Dire Dawa

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1981
Registration:
ET-AGX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14644/26089
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Dire Dawa-Aba Tenna Dejazmach Yilma Airport, a tyre burst. The airplane went out of control, veered off runway and lost an undercarriage before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was operated on behalf of the UN's Ethiopian Relief & Rehabilitation Commission (RRC).
Probable cause:
Loss of control on landing after a tyre burst.