Congo

En route, the crew considered the fuel jauges as too low and as a precaution, attempted an emergency landing to avoid any fuel exhaustion. The pilot-in-command spotted a flat terrain on a plateau and decided to land when the aircraft crashed in which was actually a swamp. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all occupants were seriously injured.

For undetermined reason, the landing at Dakar-Yoff Airport was a little bit rude and the aircraft should be grounded for four days to repair the tail gear. After an uneventful fuel stop in Accra, the crew continued to Pointe-Noire but encountered poor weather conditions upon arrival. The visibility was bad and the ceiling was about 100 meters. On final approach, the aircraft was too far to the right of the centerline so the pilot in command made a sharp turn to the left when control was lost. The aircraft crashed in flames and was destroyed. All 18 occupants were killed, among them military personnel, civilians, women and children.
Crew (Groupe de Transport GT I/25 Tunisie):
Lt Cornette, pilot,
Cpt Pinson,
Asp Desgourgues,
Adj Carayol,
Sgt Escudie,
Sgt Rivaud,
Sgt Cullion.
Passengers:
Dr. Stéfanopoulo from Pasteur Institute,
Col Cordier,
Cdt Delair,
Mrs Sokoloff and her three children,
Mrs Lagrange.
Mrs Cécile Idrac 2.