Region

Crash of an Embraer EMB-120ER Brasília in Port Gentil

Date & Time: Oct 12, 2011 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-PYO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Libreville - Port Gentil
MSN:
120-245
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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:
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LII
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Gentil - Libreville
MSN:
75 04
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
SLN122A
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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:
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LFW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Libreville – Port Gentil – Franceville
MSN:
1611
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
GBE221
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
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 Boeing 737-3Y0 in Libreville

Date & Time: Dec 19, 2003 at 1844 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LFZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Franceville – Libreville
MSN:
23750
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
GN471
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
125
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Due to low visibility caused by heavy rain falls, a landing was not possible and the crew followed a holding pattern of about 30 minutes for weather improvement. After landing on runway 16 (3,000 metres long), the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran at a speed of 100 knots, collided with a fence and came to rest 100 metres further. All 131 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the left engine throttle lever was in a full forward position after touchdown while the right engine throttle lever was in the reverse position. The braking action was poor because the runway surface was poor and the crew did not initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B in Ndjolé: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ER-AFT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Brazzaville - Douala
MSN:
134 03
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Brazzaville on a delivery flight to Douala. While cruising by night over Gabon, the crew informed ATC about technical problems, declared an emergency and elected to divert to the nearest airport which was Ndjolé. This airfield was not equipped with any runway or approach lights nor any navigation aids. The crew completed several circuits over the city then people parked their cars along the airstrip so the crew was able to land. After four unsuccessful attempts, the crew tried to land but the aircraft flew over the runway without landing, passed over the Ogooué River and eventually crashed in a wooded and swampy area. The crew of two helicopters from the Gabonese Air Force found the wreckage the following day. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. Until few days prior to the accident, the aircraft was operated by Pont Aviation which bankrupted, so it was transferred to another operator in Cameroon.
Probable cause:
It is believe that the crew was forced to make an emergency landing following a general failure of the navigation instruments in flight.

Crash of a BAc 111-412EB in Libreville

Date & Time: Aug 28, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
5N-BDC
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
111
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Libreville-Léon M'Ba Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest few dozen metres further. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was reported that both thrust reverser systems were inoperative.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P1K Bandeirante in Gabon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 2000
Operator:
Registration:
TR-KNA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Libreville - Tchibanga
MSN:
110-268
YOM:
1980
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Gabon while performing a flight from Libreville to Tchibanga. No trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C-1 in Moanda: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 2000 at 0947 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LFK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Libreville - Moanda
MSN:
UC-133
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Libreville on a charter flight to Moanda, carrying employees of the Société d’Électricité et d’Énergie du Gabon (S.E.E.G.). While approaching Moanda, the crew was cleared to descent to 4,100 feet and encountered poor visibility due to fog. On short final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 1,600 metres short of runway 14. A pilot and two passengers were killed while seven other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach after passing the MDA until the aircraft impacted ground. Poor visibility due to foggy conditions was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Libreville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1998
Operator:
Registration:
F-GHLD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
BB-233
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Libreville-Léon M'Ba Airport, while in initial climb, the crew reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed onto several houses located in a district few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed but there were no casualties on the ground. Nevertheless, both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Short 330-100 in La Lopé

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1998 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TR-LEH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Libreville - Booué
MSN:
3075
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Booué Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. As a landing was impossible in such conditions, the crew decided to return to Libreville but en route, ATC confirmed that weather was poor and the crew decided to divert to La Lopé Airport. After landing on a wet runway surface (La Lopé runway is 800 metres long), the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance and overran. While contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed then the aircraft rolled for about 50 metres before coming to rest in a rocky area. All 16 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.