Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-9 Islander in Aweil: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1989 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-OGSM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Aweil – Khartoum
MSN:
688
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Aweil Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile. Out of control, it crashed 800 meters past the runway end. All four occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing an ambulance flight to Khartoum.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382B-2C Hercules in Jamba: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9205T
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kamina - Jamba
MSN:
4129
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Kamina to Jamba on behalf of the CIA, carrying a load of weapons for the UNITA rebels. While approaching Jamba, the crew descended too low to avoid MPLA radar detection when on final, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames. All five crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to the night and the runway was unlighted.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in N'Djamena

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TT-EAF
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10307
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on its nose for few dozen meters and came to rest on the runway. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Casa 212M Aviocar 300 on Mt Maluti: 18 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LDF-46
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Qacha’s Nek – Maseru
MSN:
389
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine struck the slope of Mt Maluti. All 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Al Gora

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1989
Operator:
Registration:
786/F-RAVV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
786
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while engaged in a mission on behalf of the Multinational Force Observers (MFO) based in Al Gora. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander in Monrovia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9L-LAV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monrovia - Freetown
MSN:
767
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Monrovia-James Spriggs Payne Airport on a schedule flight to Freetown-Lungi Airport, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to return for an emergency landing. When he realized he could not make it, he attempted to land in an open field. Upon landing, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and crashed. The pilot and one passenger were killed while eight other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2F9 in Lagos

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ANX
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
22772
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
129
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a normal approach, the aircraft landed on a wet runway and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest few dozen meters further. All 135 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Nyala: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ST-AIW
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nyala - Khartoum
MSN:
404-0458
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nyala Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck the roof a school and crashed. All six occupants were killed while there were no injuries on the ground.

Crash of a Douglas DC-10-30 in Niger: 170 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1989 at 1359 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N54629
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Brazzaville – N’Djamena – Paris
MSN:
46852
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
UT772
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
156
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
170
Captain / Total flying hours:
11039
Captain / Total hours on type:
2723.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8357
Copilot / Total hours on type:
754
Aircraft flight hours:
60267
Aircraft flight cycles:
14777
Circumstances:
The DC-10 departed N'Djamena Airport at 1313LT bound for Paris-Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Forty-six minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet over Niger, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens and the crew did not send any distress call. It was quickly understood that the aircraft exploded in mid-air and crashed somewhere in the desert. SAR operations were initiated and the wreckage was found a day later in the Ténéré Desert, about 650 km north of N'Djamena, northeast from the Termit Mountain Range. Debris scattered on 100 km2 and none of the 170 occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the aircraft was destroyed by an explosion. The following findings were reported:
- The destruction was due to an explosive charge placed in a container located in position 13R in the forward cargo hold.
- The bomb was formed of pentrite, namely an explosive composed with a powerful and very sensitive crystalline nitric ester.
- The Investigation Commission assert that the most plausible hypothesis is that the explosive charge was inside baggage loaded at Brazzaville Airport.
- Observations made shortly after the accident on Brazzaville Airport made it clear that, at that time, the airport security measures in force were not in accordance with the ICAO standards and recommended practices (Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and Civil Aviation Security Manual (DOC 8973)).
Final Report:

Crash of a BAc 111-320AZ in Port Harcourt

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1989 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-AOT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lagos - Port Harcourt
MSN:
133
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
OKJ307
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
88
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
42575
Circumstances:
Okada Air Flight OKJ307 originated from Lagos (LOS), at about 17:10 hours UTC en-route to Port-Harcourt (PHC). By 17:40 hours, at FL250, the crew established contact with Port Harcourt Tower and was cleared to the "PR" Radio Beacon. The 1700 hours weather report was passed onto the crew with the assurance not to expect any delay for an ILS approach to runway 21. At 75 nm from Port Harcourt, the aircraft was cleared down to FL90 and the crew reviewed their approach briefings. The First Officer was still flying when the airplane was further cleared to 2000 feet with the instructions to report when established on the localizer. At 700 feet, the Commander had the field-in-sight but the flying pilot had not. Then the Commander took over control from the First Officer. The captain requested the tower to increase approach lights intensity because of drizzling rain. The BAC 111 passed an area of heavy downpour. It entered a high sink rate and made a hard landing. The airplane bounced and made the second touchdown on its nose-wheel. The right nose wheel shattered instantaneously while the second nose wheel fractured at the hub. It rolled for about 90 metres and crumbled under the weight of the aircraft. When both wheels of the nose gear had broken away, the wheel axle made contact with runway to cut grooves onto the runway surface for about 25 metres before the nose strut finally gave way. The aircraft now scooped forward on the nose fuselage section and continued off the runway on to the left shoulder. On the shoulder, the aircraft ran into the wide trench which was covered up with loose soil and the impact severed off the right main gear from the attachment point. The aircraft eventually came to a stop 735 meters after touchdown.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident is the poor handling of the controls at the critical movement of final approach and landing phases, probably due to the sudden loss of azimuth in the heavy downpour of rain. The contributory factor to the accident is the excavation and improper refilling of the outrageous trenches of wide dimensions along the length of runway 03/21.