Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690B in São Tomé

Date & Time: Nov 1, 2000 at 1745 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N6900K
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luanda - São Tomé
MSN:
690-11441
YOM:
1978
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a delivery flight from South Africa to the US via Luanda and São Tomé. Upon landing at São Tomé Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on its belly for few dozen metres and came to rest. The pilot was uninjured.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the aircraft was unstable on final approach and not properly aligned with the runway centerline. This caused the aircraft to land hard in 'crab' configuration, causing the left main gear to collapse upon touchdown.

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

Date & Time: Oct 31, 2000 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
D2-FDI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lucapa – Dundo – Saurimo – Luanda
MSN:
120 09
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
49
Circumstances:
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 a Dornier DO.128 Skyservant near Warri: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NAF018
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Benin City – Warri
MSN:
6018
YOM:
1985
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While approaching Warri Airport runway 06 following an uneventful flight from Benin City, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near a refinery located near Jeddo, about 11 km west of the airport. All six occupants were killed, among them five Nigerian Army Officers.

Crash of an Antonov AN-72 in Luzamba

Date & Time: Oct 6, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TL-ACW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
36572090796
YOM:
1990
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Luzamba Airport, the crew encountered atmospheric turbulences. The captain increased engine power, causing the approach speed to increase as well. The aircraft, too high, landed too far down the runway. Realizing the situation after touchdown, the captain abandoned the landing manoeuvre and initiated a go-around procedure. While climbing, the crew was aware he should follow a downwind circuit at low height because of hostile actions in the area. During the second approach, the crew forgot to lower the landing gear so the aircraft landed on its belly and slid for about 350 metres before coming to rest on the runway. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to lower the landing gear during the second approach. As the landing gear were not lowered, an alarm sounded in the cockpit but the crew thought this was a mistake and failed to lower the gear or to initiate a second go-around procedure.

Crash of a Boeing 707312B in Niamey

Date & Time: Sep 21, 2000 at 2050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
5V-TAG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris - Valencia - Niamey
MSN:
19739
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Paris-Le Bourget Airport on a flight to Valencia, Spain, where members of the chorus of the University of Bénin-Togo were dropped off. At the end of the afternoon, the crew departed Valencia on the final leg of the day to Lomé, Togo. While in cruising altitude over the Niger territory, the crew informed ATC about smoke spreading in the cockpit and was cleared for an emergency descent and landing at Niamey-Diori Hamani Airport. On approach, due to the failure of the hydraulic systems, the crew was unable to lower the undercarriage so a belly landing was completed. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the in-flight smoke and fire was the consequence of an electrical short-circuit.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Abong Mbang

Date & Time: Aug 29, 2000 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TJ-AIM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Douala – Djoum – Abong Mbang
MSN:
31-8166061
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Douala on a flight to Abong Mbang with an intermediate stop in Djoum, carrying five passengers and one pilot. On final approach to Abong Mbang, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. On short final, the aircraft struck the ground about 60 metres short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft came to rest on its belly. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Freetown

Date & Time: Aug 24, 2000 at 1406 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9L-LBN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Freetown - Freetown
MSN:
851334
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Freetown-Lungi Intl Airport on a short positioning flight to Freetown-Hastings Airport. After takeoff, during initial climb, the twin engine aircraft entered clouds at an altitude of about 500 feet. While exiting the clouds, the crew noticed a Mil Mi-8 helicopter flying nearby. His crew was completing a local flight on behalf of the UNO. The crew of the Let attempted an evasive manoeuvre but the rotor of the helicopter struck the base of the aircraft's tail. The crew managed to return for an emergency landing but the undercarriage partially failed upon landing. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew of the helicopter was able to land safely.
Probable cause:
It was established that the crew of the Mi-8T helicopter did not pay attention to the radio communication between the controller and the crew of the L-410 aircraft. The crew of the Mi-8T helicopter was distracted because they were talking about the barge that sank on the coast. This barge was located on the left side of the helicopter, while Lungi Airport and the Let L-410 were on the right side.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Kisangani

Date & Time: Aug 15, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LZ-ITC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
00 346 909
YOM:
1970
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was completing a humanitarian flight to Kisangani on behalf of 'Médecins Sans Frontières'. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. All seven crew members escaped uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B near Tshikapa: 27 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CJI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Tshikapa
MSN:
60 04
YOM:
1977
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
While approaching Tshikapa on a flight from Kinshasa, the crew decided to return to Kinshasa for unknown reasons. Shortly later, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances some 64 km northwest of Tshikapa. All 27 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in Nairobi

Date & Time: Jul 12, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-JAO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
208-0202
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed along the runway. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure at takeoff for unknown reasons.