Zambia Air Force | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft departed Lusaka Airport on a flight to Mukinge, carrying five crew members and a load of five diesel drums. After touchdown at Mukinge Airfield, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, collided with obstacles and came to rest with its nose and cockpit severely damaged. Both pilots were injured and three other crew members escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Mukinge

Date & Time: Oct 16, 2010

Type of aircraft:

Harbin Yunsunji Y-12

Operator:

Registration:

AF-215

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lusaka – Mukinge

MSN:

0088

YOM:

1994

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Lusaka on a flight to Mukinge, carrying staff and various goods on behalf of the Zambian Presidency. After touchdown, the aircraft veered off runway and came to rest against trees. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew was flying to Mukinge, preparing the next official visit of the President of the Republic of Zambia Rupiah Banda.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12 II in Mongu: 13 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 2005 at 1328 LT

Type of aircraft:

Harbin Yunsunji Y-12

Operator:

Registration:

AF-216

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Mongu - Lusaka

MSN:

0089

YOM:

1994

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was dispatched in Mongu where the crew delivered foods to a drought-stricken part of Zambia. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All 13 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo off Libreville: 30 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1993 at 2245 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Operator:

Registration:

AF-319

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lusaka – Brazzaville – Libreville – Abidjan – Dakar

MSN:

YOM:

1976

Location:

Libreville

Estuaire (Libreville)

Country:

Gabon

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Lusaka on a charter flight to Dakar with intermediate stops in Brazzaville, Libreville and Abidjan, carrying all staff of the National Zambian Football Team who was flying to Dakar to play against Senegal for the World Cup 1994 in USA. One minute after a night takeoff from Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. In a certain confusion, the captain mistakenly shut down the right engine. The aircraft lost height and crashed in the sea about 500 metres offshore. The aircraft sank and all 30 occupants were killed. It was reported that the aircraft has not been operated between December 21, 1992 and April 21, 1993 and was eventually requisitioned by the Zambian Government to carry the National Football Team to Senegal. A maintenance control (check A & B) was conducted between April 22 and 26, the day prior to departure.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the left engine failed due to excessive carbon deposit. Also, oil filters were clogged and electrical cables showed sign of overheating. The engine failed during initial climb due to inadequate maintenance. It was also reported that the captain was tired at the time of the accident due to intense schedule the preceding days following a tour in Mauritius with an insufficient rest time. Poor crew coordination, fatigue and lack of concentration were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo in Lusaka: 29 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1990 at 1925 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Operator:

Registration:

AF-316

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

M’Bala – Lusaka

MSN:

YOM:

1976

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

While approaching Lusaka, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located 10 km from the airport. All 29 occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo in Zambia

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1976

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Operator:

Registration:

AF-313

Flight Type:

Military

MSN:

YOM:

1976

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

Suffered an accident somewhere in Zambia during the year 1976. Occupant's fate and circumstances of the accident remain unknown.

Crash of an Avro 748-2-231 in Lusaka: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1969

Type of aircraft:

Avro 748

Operator:

Registration:

AF-601

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1600

YOM:

1967

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Lusaka Airport, while climbing to a height of 150 feet, the airplane went out of control and crashed. A crew member survived while three other occupants were killed.