Biskra

Following an uneventful paratroopers mission over the area of Biskra, the crew was returning to Biskra-Mohamed Khider Airport. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed few hundre metres short of runway, coming to rest broken in two. All nine crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. A day later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

The airplane was completing a charter flight from Marseille to Hassi Messaoud with an intermediate stop in Algiers, carrying French technicians flying to the Oil facilities in Hassi Messaoud. While in cruising altitude by night, an electrical short-circuit occurred in the cockpit panel, causing smoke to spread. The crew declared an emergency and elected to divert to Biskra Airport. While descending to Biskra, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in a desert area located near Aïn Naga, some 40 km southeast of Biskra. Both pilots were seriously injured while all 35 other occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Biskra Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed less than one km from the airfield and was destroyed upon impact. All 32 occupants have been killed.
Crew:
Jean-Marie Girardeau-Montaut, pilot,
M. Leclerc, copilot,
M. Vergnolle, radio operator,
M. Lageat, mechanic,
M. Ramel, steward.

Crashed in a desert area located some 96 km southeast of Biskra, killing all four crew members.
Crew:
Cpt Lawrence G. Boyts,
F/O Arthur M. Cranmer,
T/Sgt Rowland R. Moss,
Cpl Edward J. Ryan.