Country
Algeria
code
Tipaza

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V near Gouraya: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1943 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
AM623
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Blida - Blida
MSN:
414-2705
YOM:
1941
Location:
Gouraya
Tipaza
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Blida Airfield at 0730LT to escort convoy. After noon, while returning to base, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Flying in clouds, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located near Gouraya and exploded upon impact. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Ralph Norman Roy Wherrett, pilot,
F/Sgt Arthur James Bedale, navigator,
Sgt Norman Robert Heron Campbell, wireless operator,
Sgt Charles William Darwin, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Dewoitine D.342 in Ahmer El Aïn: 25 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1942 at 0955 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dewoitine D.342
Operator:
Registration:
F-ARIZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Paris – Marseille – Algiers – Dakar
MSN:
01
YOM:
1939
Location:
Ahmer El Aïn
Tipaza
Country:
Algeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Circumstances:
The three engine airplane was performing a special flight from Paris to Dakar with intermediate stops in Marseille and Algiers, carrying Air France personnel and family members (children and spouses) who were transferred to a new base in Dakar. Few minutes after takeoff from Algiers-Maison Blanche Airport, while flying in good weather conditions bound for Dakar, the airplane apparently suffered an explosion. Instantly, the left wing and the left engine fell away. Out of control, the airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed in hilly terrain near Ahmer El Aïn, west of Blida, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally wrecked and all 25 occupants were killed. Among the passengers were the wife and the son of the French General Jean Barreau, Chief of Staff of the French troops based in the French West Africa.
Crew:
Gaston Chenu, pilot,
Fernand Renier, flight engineer,
Albert Jellade, radio navigator,
Robert Haeflinger, barman.
Passengers:
Robert Arnoult, pilot,
Pierre Casanova, pilot,
André Beaufils, flight engineer,
Mrs Bompard,
Mrs Cavalera & son,
Mrs Gaudin,
Mrs Ballard,
Mrs Gaston and daughter,
Mrs Serignac and son,
Mrs Pau and son,
Mrs Serfati,
Mr. Cremaille,
Mrs Barreau and son,
Mr. Fessy,
Mr. Haffen,
Mr. Georges.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the accident was caused by the explosion of a bomb was not ruled out. It is possible that an explosive device was placed by the engine spindle, causing the failure of the engine and the wing spar as well. At the time of the accident, the French General Charles Noguès was supposed to take this airplane to Dakar but during the stopover in Algiers, he changed his itinerary and embarked on the Martin 167 of the French General Bergeret bound for Casablanca. His personal stuff were still in the Dewoitine at the time of the accident.
Subscribe to Tipaza