Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator near N'Gaoundéré: 8 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 19, 1952 at 1430 LT
Registration:
F-BEFX
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
N'Gaoundéré - N'Gaoundéré
MSN:
12
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total hours on type:
395.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
33
Aircraft flight hours:
7465
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local test flight after the engine number four was changed. The airplane left N'Gaoundéré Airport at 1250LT. The captain made profit of this flight to improve the skills of the copilot who should be promoted as captain. While cruising in good weather conditions, the aircraft banked left, dove into the ground and crashed about 37 km southwest of N'Gaoundéré. As the airplane failed to come back to its base, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found in an isolated area a day later. All eight occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a collision with trees and the airplane was banking substantially to the left. The cause of this could not be specified due to lack of evidence due to the destruction of the wreck. Certain facts for which a specific explanation could not be found were:
- Extension of the duration of the flight,
- Radio silence,
- Stopping of engine number four,
- Pitch of the propeller on engine three.
Above all these findings, it was established that the crew was flying at low height few minutes before the accident according to the testimony of farmer. The reason for this could not be determined with certainty.
- Extension of the duration of the flight,
- Radio silence,
- Stopping of engine number four,
- Pitch of the propeller on engine three.
Above all these findings, it was established that the crew was flying at low height few minutes before the accident according to the testimony of farmer. The reason for this could not be determined with certainty.
Final Report:
