Africa | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Collided in unknown circumstances with another French Air Force Nord 2501 Noratlas registered 48 and also carrying a crew of three. Both aircraft crashed near Blida and were destroyed, killing all six crew members.

Crash of a Nord 2501 Noratlas in Blida: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Nord 2501 Noratlas

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

Location:

Blida

Country:

Algeria

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Collided in unknown circumstances with another French Air Force Nord 2501 Noratlas registered 70 and also carrying a crew of three. Both aircraft crashed near Blida and were destroyed, killing all six crew members.

Crash of a Nord 2501 Noratlas near Miliana: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Nord 2501 Noratlas

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Struck a mountain near Miliana while cruising by night, killing all crew members.

Crash of a Lockheed L-749A Constellation in Algiers

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-749 Constellation

Operator:

Registration:

F-BAZG

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Algiers – Paris

MSN:

2626

YOM:

1950

Location:

Algiers

Country:

Algeria

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Algiers-Maison Blanche Airport, the aircraft caught fire for unknown reason. The captain immediately abandoned the takeoff procedure and completed an emergency braking maneuver. The aircraft came to rest in flames on the runway, and while all occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54M Skymaster near Ketama: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

44-9094

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tripoli – Kenitra

MSN:

27320

YOM:

1945

Location:

Ketama (Issaguen)

Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate

Country:

Morocco

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located 8 km southeast of Ketama. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of a Canadair C-4M Argonaut in Tripoli: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1955 at 0023 LT

Type of aircraft:

Canadair C-4 North Star

Operator:

Registration:

G-ALHL

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

London – Rome – Tripoli – Kano – Lagos

MSN:

158

YOM:

1949

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to Tripoli Airport by night and poor weather conditions, the crew was unable to locate the runway and decided to make a go around. Three times, the captain decided to abandon the approach procedure for a go around maneuver. During a fourth attempt, he descended below the glide when the aircraft hit trees and crashed 1,200 yards short of runway 11. Two crew members and 13 passengers were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. All other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The accident was the result of an error of judgement on the part of the captain who having made three unsuccessful attempts to line-up and land on runway 11 on his fourth attempt allowed his desire to keep the runway lights in view to affect his judgement, in that during a visual approach to the runway he failed to make adequate reference to his flight instruments. In the restricted visibility the runway lights gave him insufficient guidance as to attitude, height and angle of approach and unknowingly he permitted the aircraft to descend below its correct approach path.

Final Report:

Crash of a Latécoère 631 near Banyo: 16 killed

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Latécoère 631

Operator:

France Hydro

Registration:

F-BDRE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lake Léré - Douala

MSN:

YOM:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

2000

Circumstances:

The aircraft was performing a flight from Lake Léré to Douala, carrying eight passengers, a crew of eight and a load of cotton bales. While cruising in a tropical storm, the aircraft encountered thunderstorm activity and severe turbulences when a wing failed. Out of control, the airplane went into a dive and crashed 60 km north of Banyo. The airplane was destroyed and all 16 occupants were killed. This was the last mission for this aircraft and its crew who must fly back to Biscarosse (France) to conduct tests and maintenance. This was also the last Latécoère 631 in service.

Probable cause:

Structural failure of a wing in flight caused by turbulences that exceeded its design.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Maquela do Zombo

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1955

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth

Operator:

Registration:

OO-CAA

Flight Type:

Private

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

7038

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 near Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Valetta

Operator:

Registration:

VW140

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Fāyid - Fāyid

MSN:

310

YOM:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training sortie at Fāyid Airbase. On final approach, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around and completed a low pass over the airport. While starting to climb, an engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing in a desert area located 3,2 km north of the airfield. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.