Country
Algeria
code

Illizi

Crash of a Learjet 36A in Zarzaitine

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1995 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 36
Operator:
Registration:
HB-VFS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Geneva – Zarzaitine – Accra – Zarzaitine – Geneva – London – Geneva
MSN:
36-042
YOM:
1978
Location:
Zarzaitine-In Amenas
Illizi
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Geneva-Cointrin on an ambulance flight to Accra with an intermediate stop in Zarzaitine, carrying two doctors and two pilots. The goal of the mission was to repatriate a patient to London via Geneva after a crew change. While descending to runway 05 at Zarzaitine-In Amenas Airport by night, the crew was informed by ATC that runway 23 was in service. The crew followed a circuit and started the descent to runway 23. On final approach in low visibility (dark night), the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck the top of a sand dune. The undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft crash landed 3 km short of runway, bursting into flames. Both doctors escaped uninjured, the female copilot was slightly injured and the captain was seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during a visual approach completed in limited visibility due to the dark night.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649 Starliner near Ghadames: 78 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1961 at 0112 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
Operator:
Registration:
F-BHBM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Brazzaville – Bangui – Fort Lamy – Marseille – Paris
MSN:
1027
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
AF406
Location:
Zarzaitine-In Amenas
Illizi
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
69
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Circumstances:
While cruising by night at an altitude of 20,000 feet vertical to the Sahara Desert, the airplane disintegrated in the air and crashed in a desert area located in the east part of Algeria, at the border with Libya. The crew was unable to send any distress call. The debris were scattered on a wide area between Ghadamès (Libya) and Zarzaïtine, Algeria. All 78 occupants were killed in the crash.
Crew:
Mr. Bouchier, pilot,
Mr. Best, copilot,
Mr. Baylion, navigator,
Mr. Guntz, radio operator,
Mr. Gambart de Lignières, mechanic,
Mr. Burgaut, mechanic,
Mrs. Chiapolino, stewardess,
Mr. Eichelberger, steward,
Mr. Pasqueron, steward.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the probable cause of the accident was an act of sabotage with the denotation of a nitrocellulose explosive device. The reasons and the authors of this act remains unknown.

Crassh of a De Havilland DH.89B Dominie in Bordj Omar Driss

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1960
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Société Générale d'Affrètement Aérien (SGAA)
Registration:
F-OBHI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6408
YOM:
1938
Location:
Bordj Omar Driss
Illizi
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Caudron C.447M Goéland in Bordj Omar Driss

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1943 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Caudron C.440 Goéland
Operator:
Registration:
F-BAED
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bordj Omar Driss – Tamanrasset – Bordj Omar Driss – Algiers
MSN:
185
Location:
Bordj Omar Driss
Illizi
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On March 8, the twin engine airplane departed Algiers Airport at 1110LT on an ambulance flight to Tamanrasset to embark a patient who should be repatriated to Algiers. Intermediate stops were scheduled in Touggourt and Ouargla. Due to sunset, the crew was unable to continue to Tamanrasset and made a stop at Bordj Omar Driss Airfield to pass the overnight. The day of the accident, the crew decided to takeoff one hour before sunrise in order to be able to perform the complete mission Bordj Omar Driss – Tamanrasset – Bordj Omar Driss – Algiers in the same day. During the takeoff roll, while at a speed of 90 km/h, the airplane deviated to the left and collided with sand dunes, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The airplane slid for few dozen metres and came to rest. All three crew members escaped unhurt and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
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