Lusaka City District | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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 Boeing 707-321C in Lusaka: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 14, 1977 at 1433 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 707

Operator:

Registration:

G-BEBP

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

London - Athens - Nairobi - Lusaka

MSN:

18579/332

YOM:

1963

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6782

Captain / Total hours on type:

115.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

13745

Copilot / Total hours on type:

2482

Aircraft flight hours:

47621

Aircraft flight cycles:

16723

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from London to Lusaka with intermediate stops in Athens and Nairobi. Following an uneventful flight from Nairobi, a clearance was given to descend further down to FL70 in 1,000 feet steps. At 09:28 the copilot reported that the airfield was in sight. Lusaka then cleared the aircraft to descend to 6,000 feet (2,221 feet above runway elevation) and moments later a clearance was given to make a visual approach for runway 10. At 09:32 flaps were selected to 50°. Suddenly, at 09:33, the complete right-hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator assembly were seen to separate in flight. The aircraft pitched rapidly nose down and dived vertically into the ground from a height of about 800 feet. The main wreckage was located 3,660 meters from the runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by a loss of pitch control following the in-flight separation of the right hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of a combination of metal fatigue and inadequate failsafe design in the rear spar structure. Shortcomings in design assessment, certification and inspection procedures were contributory factors.

Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair CL-44D4-1 in Lusaka

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Canadair CL-44

Operator:

Tradewinds Airways

Registration:

G-AWSC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

YOM:

1961

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Apparently following a wrong approach configuration, the crew landed nosewheel first. Upon touchdown, the nosewheel was torn off and the airplane slid for several dozen meters before coming to rest in flames. All five crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Lusaka

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

9J-RDR

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

14483/25928

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Ground looped on landing and was damaged beyond repair. No casualties.

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:

Other fatalities:

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.