TAAG Angola Airlines - Transportes Aéreos de Angola | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After takeoff from Lubango Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 200 feet, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile. The aircraft turned to the left then lost height and crashed in a huge explosion about 800 meters past the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and none of the 130 occupants survived the crash.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a UNITA SAM-7 surface-to-air missile.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 near Bibala: 15 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1982

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

Registration:

D2-TAB

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight at FL140, the crew initiated the descent to Lubango Airport in poor visibility due to heavy rain falls. At an altitude of 7,400 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Bibala. The wreckage was found about 22 km northwest of Lubango Airport, some 20 meters below the summit. The aircraft was destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

For unknown reasons, the crew started the approach prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum safe altitude. Poor visibility due to heavy rain falls was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382E-44C Hercules in Menongue: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

D2-EAS

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Luanda - Menongue

MSN:

4830

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Menongue, the four engine airplane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2M2C in Benguela

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1980

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 737-200

Operator:

Registration:

D2-TAA

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Luanda - Benguela

MSN:

21172

YOM:

1975

Flight number:

DT444

Location:

Benguela

Country:

Angola

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

128

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Benguela Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low. On short final, the airplane struck the ground 4 meters short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off. The airplane slid for about 900 meters then turn slightly to the right, lost its left engine and right wing before coming to rest in flames. All 134 occupants were evacuated, among them 34 were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Lack of VASIs and threshold markings caused the pilot's inability to follow the correct approach slope.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Matala: 29 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1980 at 1532 LT

Type of aircraft:

Yakovlev Yak-40

Operator:

Registration:

D2-TYC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Jamba - Lubango

MSN:

9 72 17 53

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

17 minutes after its takeoff from Jamba Airport, while in cruising altitude, the three engine airplane was shot down by the pilot of a Zambian Shenyang J-6 fighter plane. Out of control, it entered a dive and crashed in a field located in Matala. All 29 occupants were killed. Angolan authorities confirmed the aircraft was shot down by mistake.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the pilot of a Zambian Shenyang J-6 fighter plane.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382B-6C Hercules in São Tomé

Date & Time: May 15, 1979

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

D2-FAF

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Luanda - São Tomé

MSN:

4176

YOM:

1966

Location:

São Tomé

Água Grande

Country:

São Tomé and Principe

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown at São Tomé Airport, the four engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.