Port Gentil | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was performing a regular schedule flight from Libreville to Port Gentil. The approach was completed in poor weather conditions with low visibility (1,000 metres) due to heavy rain falls. After touchdown, the aircraft did not decelerate as expected, skidded on runway, overran and came to rest down a slight embankment in shallow water. Both engines caught fire and both wings were partially torn off. All 30 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A thunderstorm was passing over the area at the time of the accident.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 off Libreville

Date & Time: Jun 6, 2011 at 1025 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

Registration:

TR-LII

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Port Gentil - Libreville

MSN:

75 04

YOM:

1978

Flight number:

SLN122A

Location:

Libreville

Estuaire (Libreville)

Country:

Gabon

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Port Gentil on a cargo flight to Libreville on behalf of DHL Airways. On approach to Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, the captain informed ATC about hydraulic problems and initiated a go-around procedure. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea some 2,3 km southeast of the airport. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Due to the failure of the hydraulic system, the crew was unable to lower the gear.

Crash of an Avro 748-232-2A off Libreville: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 2004 at 0938 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 748

Operator:

Registration:

TR-LFW

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Libreville – Port Gentil – Franceville

MSN:

1611

YOM:

1967

Flight number:

GBE221

Location:

Libreville

Estuaire (Libreville)

Country:

Gabon

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Libreville-Léon Mba Airport at 0911LT on a flight to Franceville with an intermediate stop in Port Gentil with 26 passengers and four crew members on board. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew informed ATC about technical problem and was cleared to return to Libreville. In excellent weather conditions, the aircraft overflew the runway then crashed in the sea about 100 metres offshore. Eleven occupants were rescued while 19 others were killed, among them one crew member.

Probable cause:

Loss of hydraulic pressure on the right engine forced the crew to shut down this engine and to feather its propeller. On approach, the crew was unable to lower the gears because of the loss of hydraulic pressure.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1994

Type of aircraft:

Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV

Operator:

Registration:

TN-ADP

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Port Gentil - Pointe-Noire

MSN:

AT-025

YOM:

1974

Location:

Pointe-Noire

Pointe-Noire City District

Country:

Congo

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a visual approach to Pointe-Noire Airport runway 17, the twin engine airplane belly landed and skidded on runway for about 250 metres before coming to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the approach speed was excessive and that the flaps were deployed in an inappropriate angle. On descent, the crew failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to lower the undercarriage. After the landing gear alarm sounded just prior to the flare, the crew elected to initiate a go-around procedure but it was obviously too late.