Boufarik AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was engaged in a troop transport from Boufarik to Tindouf with an intermediate stop in Béchar, west Algeria, and was carrying 247 soldiers and their family members and 10 crew members. Shortly after takeoff from the Boufarik AFB located some 25 km southwest of Algiers, while climbing to a height of about 150 meters, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an agricultural zone located near the airport, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. It was quickly confirmed by the Algerian Authorities that none of the 257 occupants survived the crash, among them 26 members of the Front Polisario. According to first testimonies, it appears that the left wing (engine?) was on fire when control was lost.

Crash of a Casa C-295M in Saint-Germain-du-Teil: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 2012 at 1545 LT

Type of aircraft:

Casa C-295M

Operator:

Registration:

7T-WGF

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Paris - Boufarik AFB

MSN:

S-026

YOM:

2005

Location:

Saint-Germain-du-Teil

Lozère

Country:

France

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Paris-Le Bourget Airport around 1500LT bound to Boufarik Air Base near Algiers, carrying a crew of five, one employee of the National Bank of Algeria and a cargo consisting of fiduciary papers intended to the manufacture of bank notes. While cruising at FL150, the crew encountered icing conditions and elected to gain height. While climbing, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in a field located in Saint-Germain-du-Teil, some 20 km east of Mende. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

In a report published in January 2013, the French BEA confirmed that the accident was the consequence of an excessive frost accretion on all surfaces and airframe of the airplane. Investigations were able to determine that the aircraft was flying at the limit of its performances in adverse weather conditions with dangerous phenomena such as the accretion of clear ice. This situation caused the frost alarm to activate, and the pilots to increase their altitude. At this moment, the airplane entered a spin and the tail detached due to aerodynamic forces that exceeded its certification/design. Out of control, the aircraft completed several barrels before breaking up and descending to the ground.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules in Paris

Date & Time: Nov 19, 2010 at 0900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

7T-WHA

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Boufarik - Paris-Le Bourget

MSN:

4997

YOM:

1984

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing on runway 07 at Le Bourget Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway to the left and came to rest. All 9 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and withdrawn from use in LBG.

Probable cause:

Left main gear collapsed upon landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules at Boufarik AFB: 15 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2003 at 1100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

7T-WHQ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Boufarik AFB - Boufarik AFB

MSN:

4926

YOM:

1982

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Boufarik AFB on a local training flight. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the crew informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to return for an emergency landing. Few seconds later, control was lost and the aircraft crashed in the district of Beni Mered, less than 2 km from the end of runway 22. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire as well as eight houses. All four crew members were killed as well as 11 people on the ground. Six other people on the ground were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Engine fire for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Nord 2501 Noratlas in Col des Deux Bassins: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1962 at 2030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Nord 2501 Noratlas

Operator:

Registration:

204

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Ouargla – Boufarik

MSN:

204

YOM:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

358

Circumstances:

While approaching Boufarik AFB by night and poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Col des Deux Bassins, about 38 km southeast of Boufarik Airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed. Brand new, it was delivered in November 1961.