Country
Gabon
code

Estuaire (Libreville)

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 off Libreville

Date & Time: Jun 6, 2011 at 1025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LII
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Port Gentil - Libreville
MSN:
75 04
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
SLN122A
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Port Gentil on a cargo flight to Libreville on behalf of DHL Airways. On approach to Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, the captain informed ATC about hydraulic problems and initiated a go-around procedure. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea some 2,3 km southeast of the airport. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Due to the failure of the hydraulic system, the crew was unable to lower the gear.

Crash of an Avro 748-232-2A off Libreville: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 2004 at 0938 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 748
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LFW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Libreville – Port Gentil – Franceville
MSN:
1611
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
GBE221
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Libreville-Léon Mba Airport at 0911LT on a flight to Franceville with an intermediate stop in Port Gentil with 26 passengers and four crew members on board. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew informed ATC about technical problem and was cleared to return to Libreville. In excellent weather conditions, the aircraft overflew the runway then crashed in the sea about 100 metres offshore. Eleven occupants were rescued while 19 others were killed, among them one crew member.
Probable cause:
Loss of hydraulic pressure on the right engine forced the crew to shut down this engine and to feather its propeller. On approach, the crew was unable to lower the gears because of the loss of hydraulic pressure.

Crash of a Boeing 737-3Y0 in Libreville

Date & Time: Dec 19, 2003 at 1844 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-300
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LFZ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Franceville – Libreville
MSN:
23750
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
GN471
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
125
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Due to low visibility caused by heavy rain falls, a landing was not possible and the crew followed a holding pattern of about 30 minutes for weather improvement. After landing on runway 16 (3,000 metres long), the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran at a speed of 100 knots, collided with a fence and came to rest 100 metres further. All 131 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the left engine throttle lever was in a full forward position after touchdown while the right engine throttle lever was in the reverse position. The braking action was poor because the runway surface was poor and the crew did not initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of a BAc 111-412EB in Libreville

Date & Time: Aug 28, 2001
Type of aircraft:
BAc 111
Operator:
Eagle Aviation - Nigeria
Registration:
5N-BDC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
111
YOM:
1967
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Libreville-Léon M'Ba Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest few dozen metres further. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was reported that both thrust reverser systems were inoperative.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Libreville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1998
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
F-GHLD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
MSN:
BB-233
YOM:
1977
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Libreville-Léon M'Ba Airport, while in initial climb, the crew reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed onto several houses located in a district few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed but there were no casualties on the ground. Nevertheless, both pilots were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo off Libreville: 30 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1993 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo
Operator:
Registration:
AF-319
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lusaka – Brazzaville – Libreville – Abidjan – Dakar
MSN:
69
YOM:
1976
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
30
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lusaka on a charter flight to Dakar with intermediate stops in Brazzaville, Libreville and Abidjan, carrying all staff of the National Zambian Football Team who was flying to Dakar to play against Senegal for the World Cup 1994 in USA. One minute after a night takeoff from Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. In a certain confusion, the captain mistakenly shut down the right engine. The aircraft lost height and crashed in the sea about 500 metres offshore. The aircraft sank and all 30 occupants were killed. It was reported that the aircraft has not been operated between December 21, 1992 and April 21, 1993 and was eventually requisitioned by the Zambian Government to carry the National Football Team to Senegal. A maintenance control (check A & B) was conducted between April 22 and 26, the day prior to departure.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the left engine failed due to excessive carbon deposit. Also, oil filters were clogged and electrical cables showed sign of overheating. The engine failed during initial climb due to inadequate maintenance. It was also reported that the captain was tired at the time of the accident due to intense schedule the preceding days following a tour in Mauritius with an insufficient rest time. Poor crew coordination, fatigue and lack of concentration were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A-3 in Libreville: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-134
Operator:
Registration:
YU-AJS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
48370
YOM:
1976
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
On approach to Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in flames short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Libreville

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1961
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Groupement Aéronautique et Automobile
Registration:
F-OBKH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6477
YOM:
1940
Location:
Libreville
Estuaire (Libreville)
Country:
Gabon
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Libreville Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were injured.
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