Country
code

Souss-Massa-Drâa

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Defender near Ouarzazate: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 2010
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CN-TWO
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tangier - Ouarzazate
MSN:
2232
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Tangier on a flight to Ouarzazate, carrying three Police Officers and two pilots on behalf of the Royal Moroccan Police (Gendarmerie Royale Marocaine). While cruising by night between Demnate and Ouarzazate, the aircraft struck a mountain slope and crashed. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all five occupants were killed. For unknown reasons, the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP near Agadir: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 2002 at 0015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UR-LIP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dakar – Agadir – Algiers – Athens
MSN:
9 3 464 05
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Dakar to Athens with intermediate stops in Agadir and Algiers, carrying a load of fish and eight crew members. While cruising by night at an altitude of 9,900 feet in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 80 km northeast of Agadir. All eight occupants were killed.

Crash of an ATR42-312 in Ameskroud: 44 killed

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1994 at 1850 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CN-CDT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Agadir - Casablanca
MSN:
127
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
AT630
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
Ten minutes after takeoff from Agadir-Al Massira Airport, while climbing to the altitude of 16,000 feet, the aircraft nosed down and entered a rapid descent until it collided with mountainous terrain near Ameskroud, in the Atlas Mountain Range, about 24 km northeast of Agadir Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 44 occupants were killed. Part of the left wing was found about 5 km from the main wreckage.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the captain deliberately disconnected the automatic pilot system and initiated a rapid descent after he decided to commit suicide. This official version was challenged by the Moroccan Pilot's Union.

Crash of a Boeing 707-321C near Agadir: 188 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1975 at 0425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JY-AEE
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Paris – Agadir
MSN:
18767/376
YOM:
1964
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
181
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
188
Aircraft flight hours:
39749
Circumstances:
On behalf of Royal Air Maroc, the aircraft was completing a charter flight from Paris-Le Bourget to Agadir, carrying 181 Moroccan workers and their family members back for holidays. Following an uneventful flight, the crew contacted ATC and was cleared to start the descent. At an altitude of 2,400 feet, the right wing struck a rocky peak. On impact, the engine n°4 was torn off. The crew increased engine power and the airplane flew for about 400 meters before it disintegrated in a small valley. The wreckage was found few hours later about 40 km north of Agadir-Inezgane Airport. None of the 188 occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was descending at a too low altitude and was approaching Agadir-Inezgane Airport on a wrong track, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain. Lack of visibility due to the night and local patches of fog as well as lack of visual references on the ground were considered as contributing factors.