Zone
Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP near Agadir: 8 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 7, 2002 at 0015 LT
Operator:
Registration:
UR-LIP
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dakar – Agadir – Algiers – Athens
MSN:
9 3 464 05
YOM:
1969
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
Operator:
Registration:
CN-CDT
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Agadir - Casablanca
MSN:
127
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
AT630
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
44
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 Douglas DC-7CF near Bir Moghreïn: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 8, 1988
Operator:
Registration:
N284
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dakar - Agadir
MSN:
45203
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
En route from Dakar to Agadir, while cruising at the altitude of 11,000 feet, the aircraft was hit by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile. An engine detached and out of control, the aircraft entered a dive and crashed in a desert area near Bir Moghreïn. All five occupants were killed. They were on their way to Agadir on behalf of the United States Agency for International Development.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile fired by soldiers of the Front Polisario.
Crash of a Boeing 707-321C near Agadir: 188 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 3, 1975 at 0425 LT
Operator:
Registration:
JY-AEE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Paris – Agadir
MSN:
18767/376
YOM:
1964
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.
