Africa

Few minutes after takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while flying in thick fog, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located about 50 km north of Nairobi. All three occupants were killed.

Disappeared without traces somewhere in Angola while on a cargo flight from Nzaji to Luanda, carrying six crew members.

The aircraft departed Goma on a cargo flight to Kigali, carrying three crew members. En route, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and elected to divert to Kisangani Airport. LAter, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Lubutu. The wreckage was found on 1st of August 1999. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. For unknown reasons, the aircraft was not following the route from Goma to Kigali and crashed about 300 km northwest of Goma while Kigali is about 100 km southeast of Goma.

The aircraft was loaded with cargo intended for Namibia, early the morning of the accident. The pilot reported that the right-hand engine suffered a loss of power at the point where he rotated the aircraft for take-off. During the attempt to abort the take-off the aircraft skidded over the end of the runway and crashed down an embankment. The pilot and his passenger escaped with minor injuries, but the aircraft was subsequently destroyed by the post impact fire.

Three minutes after takeoff from Kindu Airport, while climbing, the captain contacted ATC and reported an explosion in the rear of the aircraft. He was able to maintain contact with ATC for few minutes when the aircraft crashed in a jungle some 39 km east of the Airport, 11 minutes later. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 41 occupants were killed, among them 20 woman and children.

Prior to departure, the pilot reported to ground mechanics that an unusual noise came from the left main gear. An inspection was conducted but nothing anormal was noted. Nevertheless, the pilot was told to fly directly to Mombasa for further control. After takeoff from runway 09, while climbing, the pilot was contacted by ATC who reported that the left main gear detached and fell away. He was cleared to return for an emergency landing and completed a belly landing few minutes later. The aircraft came to rest on runway and was damaged beyond repair. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

Shortly after takeoff from Maputo Airport, while climbing, the engine n°3 failed, exploded and caught fire. Debris struck the engine n°4 and punctured the right wing and a fuel tank, causing a severe fire. The crew was cleared for an immediate return. Following a normal approach and landing, the aircraft was stopped on the main runway and all 66 occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

The twin engine aircraft was completing a government flight (VR5301) from Campo de Priguiça to Praia, carrying three crew members and the Prime Minister Carlos Veiga and his team. On approach to Praia-Francisco Mendes Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and strong winds. The crew was cleared to make a low pass over runway 22 then make a sharp turn to the left, causing the left wing tip to struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed 150 metres from the runway 04 threshold. A passenger, a Prime Minister's bodyguard, was killed while 21 other occupants were injured, four seriously.

Following an uneventful flight from Málaga-Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport, the crew initiated the descent to Melilla Airport in marginal weather conditions. After being cleared to descend to 7,000 feet from Sevilla ATC, the crew contacted Melilla Tower and was cleared to descend to 5,000 feet. Melilla Tower then reported that runway 33 was in use and reported wind at 270° at 5 knots, visibility 8 km with few clouds at 1,000 feet. At 0645LT the copilot reported that they were at 22 nm at an altitude of 3,000 feet. From this point, the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude of 4,000 feet and crossed the coast line in limited visibility due to low clouds. At 0749 and 52 seconds, the GPWS alarm sounded twice in the cockpit. Few seconds later, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Cap de Trois Fourche. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 38 occupants were killed.

The twin engine aircraft departed Entebbe on an on-demand taxi flight to Kasese, carrying 10 passengers and one pilot. In unclear circumstances, the aircraft crashed in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, in the region of Kasese. The exact cause of the accident is unknown but it was reported that the pilot's body showed two bullet wounds. The passengers were on a gold buying mission carrying a large amount of cash that was not found in the wreckage.