Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II in Nouakchott: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 2012 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Harbin Yunsunji Y-12
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nouakchott - Tasiast
Location:
Nouakchott
Nouakchott City District
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a special flight to the Tasiast Airstrip deserving the Gold Mine of Tasiast on behalf of the Kinross Gold Corporation. Shortly after take off from Nouakchott, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a desert area located past the runway end, bursting into flames. All seven occupants were killed and aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots were Mauritanian Customs Officers while among the passengers were three Security Officers of the Kinross Gold Corporation who were in charge to transfer a load of gold back to Nouakchott.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-8-202 in Tarakigné

Date & Time: Nov 19, 2009 at 1514 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-8-200 (Dash-8)
Operator:
Registration:
N355PH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Nouakchott - Bamako
MSN:
500
YOM:
1997
Location:
Tarakigné
Koulikoro
Country:
Mali
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Before take off at Nouakchott, two fuel trucks arrived to the airplane but captain declined and calculated that the reserve he has was sufficient to fly to Bamako. While approaching Bamako, right engine failed due to fuel exhaustion, followed by the left engine five minutes later. Crew elected to divert to Kolokani, a small airstrip located 19 km from Bamako. Eventually, crew was forced to make an emergency landing off airport. On landing, aircraft lost its undercarriage while the right wing was sheared off. All nine occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed. Flight was performed on behalf of the 524th Special Operations Squadron, for the USAF and Africom, a military mission in Africa.
Probable cause:
The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) President found by clear and convincing evidence that the cause of this mishap was the mishap aircraft running out of fuel due to the mishap aircraft commander’s and mishap copilot’s failure to properly fuel plan and then refuel the mishap aircraft at Nouakchott with a sufficient amount to reach their destination. Once airborne, despite indications of a fuel shortage, the mishap crew did not divert to a suitable alternate airport early enough in the sortie to avoid this mishap. The AIB President also found sufficient evidence to conclude the following factors substantially contributed to the mishap: insufficient mission and flight planning; faulty decision-making; complacency; task misprioritization; channelized attention; and the mishap crew pressing to meet mission demands.

Crash of a Xian Yunsunji Y-7H-500 in Néma: 39 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1998 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Xian Yunsunji Y-7-100
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Néma - Nouakchott
MSN:
00 7H 03
YOM:
1996
Location:
Néma
Hodh Ech Chargui
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to Nouakchott with 35 passengers and seven crew members who accompanied the President of the Republic of Mauritania on an official visit of the Hodh Ech Chargui Region. All passengers were members of the Mauritanian Army fanfare. Shortly after a night takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. Three passengers were seriously injured while 39 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after one of the engine failed for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Xian Yunsunji Y-7H-100 off Nouadhibou: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Xian Yunsunji Y-7-100
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Nouadhibou - Nouakchott
MSN:
00 7H 01
YOM:
1996
Location:
Nouadhibou
Dakhlet Nouadhibou
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nouadhibou Airport, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea, killing all eight occupants.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of an engine failure.

Crash of a Fokker F28 Fellowship 4000 in Tidjikdja: 80 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1994 at 0820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F28 Fellowship
Operator:
Registration:
5T-CLF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nouakchott - Tidjikdja
MSN:
11092
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
MR251
Location:
Tidjikdja
Tagant
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
89
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
80
Circumstances:
On approach to Tidjikdja Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to a sandstorm. Unable to establish a visual contact with the runway, the captain initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, the crew attempted a second approach while the weather conditions did not improve. At a height of about 25 metres above the airfield, the aircraft nosed down and violently struck the runway surface. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and out of control, the aircraft veered off runway and eventually collided with rocks, bursting into flames. Thirteen passengers were rescued while 80 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The approach was completed in below weather minima and the crew continued the descent without establishing a visual contact with the ground and runway. At the time of the accident, the visibility and the RVR were below minimums. Considering the situation, the crew should divert to another suitable airport.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo off Dakar: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1979 at 1010 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAX
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Dakar - Nouakchott
MSN:
88
YOM:
1978
Location:
Dakar-Yoff
Dakar Region
Country:
Senegal
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Dakar-Yoff Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km offshore. All 12 occupants were killed, among them Ahmed Ould Bousseif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The pilot was captain N'Diaye N'Diak, Chief of the Atar Airbase.

Crash of a Fairchild F27A in Nouakchott

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild F27
Operator:
Registration:
5T-CJY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
28
YOM:
1958
Location:
Nouakchott
Nouakchott City District
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed upon landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Nouakchott

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Compagnie Sénégalaise de Transports Aériens - COSETRA
Registration:
6V-AAA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dakar – Nouakchott
MSN:
4351
YOM:
1941
Location:
Nouakchott
Nouakchott City District
Country:
Mauritania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed upon landing at Nouakchott Airport for unknown reasons. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was performing a flight from Dakar on behalf of Air Mauritanie.

Crash of a Latécoère 26-6-R in Saint Louis

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1927
Type of aircraft:
Latécoère 26
Operator:
Registration:
F-ESDF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nouakchott - Saint Louis - Dakar
MSN:
1
YOM:
1925
Location:
Saint Louis du Sénégal
Saint-Louis Region
Country:
Senegal
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed for unknown reason while on final approach to Saint Louis, Senegal. Both crew members were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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