Saurimo | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

En route from Saurimo to Luanda, the crew encountered technical problems and was cleared to divert to Malanje Airport for an emergency landing. Upon landing on an unlit runway, the aircraft veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All 50 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. The exact cause of the technical failure remains unknown.

Crash of a Gulfstream GII in Huambo

Date & Time: Nov 26, 2011

Type of aircraft:

Gulfstream GII

Operator:

Wings over Africa

Registration:

N811DE

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Huambo – Saurimo

MSN:

244

YOM:

1979

Location:

Huambo-Albano Machado

Huambo

Country:

Angola

Region:

Africa

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Huambo-Albano Machado Airport, the crew decided to reject takeoff for unknown reasons. The aircraft veered off runway and came to rest. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 near Mona Quimbundo: 49 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 2000 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

ACA-Ancargo Air

Registration:

D2-FDI

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lucapa – Dundo – Saurimo – Luanda

MSN:

120 09

YOM:

1982

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The aircraft departed Saurimo on a flight to Luanda, carrying 44 passengers and a crew of five. This was the last leg of day after two previous flights from Lucapa and Dundo. About 20 minutes into the flight, while in cruising altitude, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located near Mona Quimbundo. The wreckage was found about 50 km southwest of Saurimo and all 49 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a surface-to-air missile. The hostile action was claimed by UNITA rebels because the aircraft was carrying a load of diamonds stolen on their territory.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B near Luzamba: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Registration:

TN-AFR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Luanda – Saurimo

MSN:

8 3 455 02

YOM:

1968

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Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Luanda to Saurimo, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing near Luzamba. A crew member was killed and four others were captured by UNITA rebels.

Probable cause:

Shot down by an UNITA surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382G Hercules near Huambo: 14 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1998 at 1205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

S9-CAO

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Humanitarian

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Huambo - Saurimo

MSN:

4561

YOM:

1974

Flight number:

UNO806

Location:

Huambo-Albano Machado

Huambo

Country:

Angola

Region:

Africa

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Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Huambo-Albano Machado Airport on an humanitarian mission to Saurimo under call sign UNO806 on behalf of the United Nations Organization. Five minutes after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed in a field located near the village of Vila Nova, about 40 km from Huambo. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a UNITA surface-to-air missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Saurimo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1998

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Zanex

Registration:

S9-CAT

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Luanda - Saurimo

MSN:

6 34 45 03

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

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On final approach to Saurimo Airport, the captain initiated a go-around procedure after a vehicle entered the runway. The crew increased engine power but the aircraft continued to descend and struck the runway surface just past the threshold. Upon impact, the aircraft went out of control and came to rest, bursting into flames. The navigator was killed and nine other occupants were injured.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Saurimo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1998

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Registration:

D2-FAZ

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:

Luanda - Saurimo

MSN:

8 34 56 01

YOM:

1968

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Region:

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The four engine aircraft was completing a charter flight from Luanda to Saurimo, carrying a team of journalists who were supposed to visit a local diamonds mine. After touchdown, some tire burst. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. Twelve occupants were injured, some seriously, and the captain, an Ukrainian citizen, was killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after touchdown following tires burst.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Cuito Cuanavale

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

6169

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Luanda - Henrique de Carvalho

MSN:

42968

YOM:

1946

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

En route from Luanda to Henrique de Carvalho, the aircraft was hit by ground fire. The crew elected to make an emergency landing in Cuito Cuanavale. While all occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Shot down by ground fire.