Crash of a Nord 262A-44 in Béchar: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1979 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7T-VSU
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Adrar - Béchar
MSN:
19
YOM:
1966
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
On approach to Béchar Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a desert area located about 15 km from the runway threshold. 14 passengers were killed while nine other occupants, among them all three crew members, were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Poor approach planning,
- The crew failed to comply with published procedures,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Crew fatigue,
- A possible malfunction of the captain altimeter.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Hart Mine

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1979 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6567L
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kennewick - San Diego
MSN:
31-489
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5270
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kennewick to San Diego, the pilot encountered problems and elected to make a precautionary landing in Hart Mine, California. The airplane crashed in a desert area and was destroyed. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground while in traffic pattern-circuit after the pilot misjudged altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Kennewick Airport closed during reported departure time,
- Reported flight distance not possible with fuel on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 680W Turbo Commander II in Lucerne Valley

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1978 at 0300 LT
Registration:
N94HD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
San Diego - Las Vegas
MSN:
680-1811-28
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5420
Captain / Total hours on type:
1105.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from San Diego to Las Vegas, the pilot suffered physical impairment. The airplane crashed in a desert area near Lucerne Valley. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground after the pilot suffered in-flight physical impairment. Two micrograms per milliliter of benzodiazepine found in his blood sample.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK near Karima

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1978
Registration:
G-BFPU
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
London - Nice - Karima - Aden
MSN:
15247/26692
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from London-Gatwick to Aden with intermediate stops in Nice and Karima, and was supposed to deliver the airplane to Alyemda in Aden. Technical problems occurred on the leg from Gatwick to Nice and the crew was forced to divert to Toulon where spark plugs and carburetor were changed on the left engine. While flying in the region of Karima, the right engine oil pressure and cylinder head temperature exceeded the limits and the propeller oversped. In such conditions, the crew feathered the propeller when the left engine backfired shortly later. The captain decided to make a belly landing in a desert area about 11 km northeast of Karima. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Engine problems caused by and excessive oil pressure and cylinder head temperature.

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Hyder

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1978 at 1323 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7866Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Yuma - Phoenix
MSN:
402B-0116
YOM:
1971
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8289
Captain / Total hours on type:
2622.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Yuma to Phoenix, the left engine caught fire after the exhaust pipe separated in flight. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located near Hyder, AZ. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. It was destroyed while both occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure: exhaust system,
- Excessive vibration and then separation of exhaust pipe due to fatigue fracture,
- Fire in engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Bolt connecting ball joint on left engine right side found missing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Mauritania

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5T-MAT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
765
YOM:
1976
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Western Sahara, mayb in the region of Laayoune, while taking part to a military operation against Polisario Front rebels. It is believed the aircraft was shot down by ground fire and crashed. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Hamilton Westwind III near Al Fashir

Date & Time: May 3, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-ASF
Flight Phase:
Site:
MSN:
BA-368
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances about 250 km northeast of Al Fashir.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 near Faya-Largeau

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1978 at 0630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TT-NAA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
N’Djamena – Faya-Largeau
MSN:
42936
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed N'Djamena Airport at 0530LT on a flight to Faya-Largeau, carrying a crew of five, 21 fuel drums and various military equipment. While descending to Faya-Largeau and flying at a relative low altitude, the airplane was struck by a SAM-7 missile that hit the engine n°2. The engine caught fire and detached, followed shortly later by the engine n°1. The captain reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located about 55 km west of Faya-Largeau. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a SAM-7 missile.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Zouar: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TT-EAB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
N'Djamena - Zouar
MSN:
9157
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Zouar Airport, the twin engine airplane was shot down by a SAM-7 missile and crashed in a desert area. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Mr. Scabello, pilot,
Mr. N'Gama, navigator.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a SAM-7 missile.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154A near Al Bayda: 59 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LZ-BTN
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Mecca - Benghazi - Tripoli
MSN:
74A054
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
159
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
59
Aircraft flight hours:
3700
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Mecca to Tripoli with an intermediate stop in Benghazi, carrying Libyan pilgrims flying back home. While descending to Benghazi Airport, the crew was instructed by ATC to divert to Al Bayda as the airport was closed due to foggy conditions. In the area of Al Bayda, the crew was unable to locate the airport due to fog and completed several circuits when the airplane ran out of fuel. The pilot-in-command attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located few km from Al Bayda Airport when the aircraft crashed. 59 passengers were killed while 46 others occupants were injured and 60 escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Forced landing following a fuel exhaustion.