Country
Central African Republic
code

Ombella-M'Poko

Crash of a Boeing 707-123B in Bangui: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2002 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Prestige Airlines
Registration:
9XR-IS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
N'Djamena - Brazzaville
MSN:
19335
YOM:
1967
Location:
Bangui
Ombella-M'Poko
Country:
Central African Republic
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed N'Djamena Airport on a cargo flight to Brazzaville, carrying 21 passengers, nine crew members and a load of onions and garlic. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew reported technical problems with the undercarriage and was cleared to divert to Bangui Airport. The crew completed a holding circuit over Bangui to consume fuel then later started the descent to the airport. On final approach to runway 35, all four engines stopped simultaneously due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a residential area located 4 km short of runway. A crew member and one passenger were injured while 28 other people were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
The crew reported that the undercarriage could not be raised. Loss of control on final approach after all four engines stopped due to a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Bangui

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Air Cameroon
Registration:
F-BESN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22377
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bangui
Ombella-M'Poko
Country:
Central African Republic
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bangui Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered and engine failure. The captain elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft belly landed in a prairie and came to rest. All four occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying a load of six tons of meat.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sandringham 6 off Bangui

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sandringham
Operator:
France Hydro
Registration:
LN-LAI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
S.1209
Location:
Bangui
Ombella-M'Poko
Country:
Central African Republic
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Ubangi River off Bangui.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster near Bangui: 46 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1950 at 1937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
F-BELB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Paris – Bangui – Dar es-Salaam
MSN:
3084
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bangui
Ombella-M'Poko
Country:
Central African Republic
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
46
Circumstances:
Four minutes after its takeoff from Bangui Airport, while climbing by night, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a hill located about 16 km south of Bangui. Three crew members and seven passengers were seriously injured while 46 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to perform the takeoff procedure by night without knowing properly the departure procedures and the topography in the vicinity of the aerodrome. It was reported that the Chief of the Aerodrome informed the pilot prior to departure about the presence of hills in the surroundings. For unknown reason, the pilot continued the initial climb at an insufficient altitude and initiated the first turn prematurely, causing the aircraft to hit the ground. The following factors were considered as contributory:
- lack of familiarity on behalf of the flying crew,
- poor visibility caused by night,
- incomplete flight chart for the Bangui area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-5-LO LodeStar near Bangui: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1945 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-60 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
F-BALV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Paris – N’Djamena – Bangui – Antananarivo
MSN:
2380
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bangui
Ombella-M'Poko
Country:
Central African Republic
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located about 60 km west of Bangui Airport. All eight occupants were killed, among them Prince Vinh San of Vietnam.
Crew:
Guy Porte, pilot,
Lucien Coulomb, radio navigator,
Louis Rebout, flight engineer.

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3mge near Bangui

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Junkers JU.52
Operator:
Registration:
OO-AUG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
6036
YOM:
1938
Location:
Bangui
Ombella-M'Poko
Country:
Central African Republic
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The three-engine aircraft came to rest some 80 miles from Bangui. While there were no casualties, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Subscribe to Ombella-M'Poko