Djibouti City

After landing at Beledweyne-Haji-Sheikh Mahmud Hasan (Ugas Khalif) Airport, the aircraft went out of control and came to rest against several earth mounds, bursting into flames. All three crew members managed to escape while the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The crew was completing a cargo flight from Djibouti City on behalf of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and it is believed that the aircraft was carrying food supplies.

On 18 February 2012, at approximately 1918 local time (L), a United States Air Force U-28A aircraft, tail number 07-0736, crashed five nautical miles (NM) southwest of Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti. This aircraft was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL, and deployed to the 34th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The aircraft was destroyed and all four aircrew members died instantly upon impact. The mishap aircraft (MA) departed Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti at 1357L, to accomplish a combat mission in support of a Combined Joint Task Force. The MA proceeded to the area of responsibility (AOR), completed its mission in the AOR and returned back to Djiboutian airspace at 1852L arriving overhead the airfield at 1910L to begin a systems check. The MA proceeded south of the airfield at 10,000 feet (ft) Mean Sea Level (MSL) for 10 NM then turned to the North towards the airfield, accomplished a systems check and requested entry into the pattern at Ambouli International Airport. This request was denied due to other traffic, and the MA was directed to proceed to the west and descend by Air Traffic Control (ATC). The MA began a left descending turn to the west and was directed by ATC to report final. The mishap crew (MC) reported they were passing through 4,000 ft MSL and would report when established on final approach. The MA, continuing to descend, initiated a right turn then reversed the turn entering a left turn while continually and smoothly increasing bank angle until reaching 55 degrees prior to impact. Additionally, the MA continued to steadily increase the descent rate until reaching 11,752 ft per minute prior to impact. The MC received aural “Sink Rate” and “Pull Up” alerts with no apparent corrective action taken. The MA impacted the ground at approximately 1918L, 5 NM southwest of Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti.

Following an uneventful flight from Djibouti City, the crew started the approach to Bosaso Airport. When the undercarriage were selected down, the crew realized that the nose gear was stuck in its wheel well. The crew elected to get it down manually but without success. The decision was taken to land in such configuration. Upon touchdown, the aircraft landed on its nose and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All 15 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Shortly after takeoff from Dire Dawa-Aba Tenna Dejazmach Yilma Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 3,500 feet, one of the engine failed. The captain decided to return for an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in a desert area located near Shinile, about 5 km north of Dire Dawa Airport. Upon impact, the aircraft broke in three. A passenger was killed while 8 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was completing a cargo flight to Djibouti City on behalf of Djibouti Airlines, carrying a load of 6 tons of qat.

The aircraft was departing Mogadishu on a ferry flight to Minsk with an intermediate stop in Djibouti City, carrying 4 technicians of the operator and 7 crew members who were returning to Belarus after they recovered materials and instruments from another II-76 (EW-78826) that was damaged beyond repair at Mogadishu Airport last March 9. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft was hit by a missile that struck the left wing between both engines n°1 and 2. An explosion occurred and the aircraft caught fire. The crew initiated a turn when the left wing detached and crashed in the sea. Out of control, the aircraft crashed on a beach near the airport, killing all 11 occupants.

Following an uneventful flight from Mogadishu, the crew started the descent to Djibouti City-Ambouli Airport. While the runway 09 was in use, the crew was cleared for an approach to runway 27. While completing a last turn to the left to join the glide, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in the sea. All four occupants were killed.

The aircraft departed Naples, Italy, on a ferry flight to Lanseria, with intermediate stops in Luxor and Nairobi. The aircraft was ferried in South Africa to be refurbished as it was recently purchased by a new owner. Because of the border-crossing prohibition a second flight plan was filed via Djibouti City. While cruising at an altitude of 41,000 feet, the aircraft deviated from the initial route and crossed the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia. At 1630LT, the aircraft was shot down by ground fire, entered a dive and crashed near the city of Adwa. Three days of negotiation with the Ethiopian government were necessary to clear a rescue team to visit the crash site. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots, a British and a Swedish citizen, were killed.

The four engine aircraft was engaged in a special humanitarian flight from Djibouti City to Addis Ababa, carrying four crew members and a load of foodstuffs on behalf of the World Food Programme. After departure from Djibouti City, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems with the main landing gear and was cleared to return. The crew initiated a turn when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Arey located few km from Djibouti. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.

The aircraft was returning to Djibouti City following a maritime patrol flight. While cruising north of the Gulf of Tadjourah, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. At an altitude of 950 meters, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Day Forest National Park located 17 km west of Tadjourah and 50 km northwest of Djibouti City. The aircraft was destroyed and all 19 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Ev1 Dominique Meunier,
Mp Michel Blandin,
Mp Michel Pacatte,
Pm Dominique Py,
Pm Christian Topin,
Pm Jacques Tassin,
Pm André Chaumont,
Mtre Daniel D'Hulster,
Mtre Eric Montet,
Mtre Eric Maucars,
Sm Laurent Faubet,
Sm Pierre Pugi,
Qm2 Patrick Simond,
Qm2 Didier Formet,
Pm Gilbert Crouilles.
Passengers:
Ev2 René-François Foin,
Maj Bernard Jolliard,
Mp Jean Marot,
S/C Umberto Cirasaro.

The aircraft departed Djibouti City on a local paratroopers training mission. While flying by night, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Garbi (1,700 meters high) located northwest of Assal Lake. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 36 occupants were killed, among them seven officers, five non-commissioned officers, one Navy officer, 23 Corporals and legionaries.
Crew:
Cmd Dalmasso,
Cmd Couillaud,
Cpt Taddéï,
Cpt Demange.