Sofala | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was completing a humanitarian flight to Chemba, carrying three crew members foodstuffs. On final approach, at a height of about 500 feet, the left engine lost power. The aircraft rolled to the left then stalled and crashed on the top of a hill. A pilot was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of engine power on short final for unknown reasons.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Marromeu

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1992 at 0920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-32

Operator:

Aeropulse - Airtransport School

Registration:

CCCP-48058

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Beira - Marromeu

MSN:

28 07

YOM:

1991

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Beira, carrying a load of foodstuffs. After touchdown, the captain realized he landed on the wrong runway that was only 2,600 feet long but failed to initiate a go-around procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest few dozen metres further. All five occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The crew mistakenly landed on the wrong runway (too short for such aircraft) and failed to initiate a go-around. It was reported that interferences occurred on frequency during the approach, causing the pilots to misinterpret ATC instructions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-DK in Vila de Sena: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1991 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Scan Transportes Aéreos

Registration:

C9-STD

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Beira - Vila de Sena

MSN:

14026/25471

YOM:

1944

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was approaching Vila de Sena Airstrip following a cargo flight from Beira, carrying a load of various goods. As the airfield was located in an area subject to combats, the crew completed a low approach to avoid any hostile action. On approach to a grassy airfield, the aircraft drifted to the right so the captain elected to correct the deviation when the aircraft struck trees, stalled and crashed in the Zambezi River. Two crew members were rescued while a third was killed.

Crash of a Casa 212 Aviocar 200 in Casa Banana: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Casa 212 Aviocar

Operator:

Registration:

808

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Chimoio - Casa Banana

MSN:

365

YOM:

1986

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The aircraft was approaching Casa Banana, in the Gorongosa National Park, when it struck treetops and crashed in a dense wooded area. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK near Beira: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Hemet Exploration

Registration:

F-BJHC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Aerial photography

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

14311/25756

YOM:

1944

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was carrying three operators and three crew members on a local aerial photography mission on behalf of the Shell Oil Group. For such mission, the aircraft was equipped with a 30 meters long cable fixed to the tail and supporting a sensor system where various measurement equipment were fixed. En route, the crew was contacted by ATC to change heading when the airplane was hit by two surface-to-air SAM-7 missiles. One missile struck the tail and the second struck the left engine that exploded. Out of control, the aircraft entered a dive and crashed, killing all six occupants.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the aircraft was mistakenly shot down by the Mozambican Army who thought the aircraft was a military airplane towing an unidentified equipment.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Beira: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Transportes Aéreos de Moçambique - TAM

Registration:

C9-AKG

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

31-154

YOM:

1968

Location:

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Circumstances:

At liftoff, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed near the runway end. Three occupants were seriously injured while four others were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon in Beira

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Harpoon

Operator:

Registration:

4604

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

15-1602

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

Crashed upon landing at Beira Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Novo Lusitania

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1939

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VP-YAY

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

7101

YOM:

1935

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Novo Lusitania, in the region of Beira. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants were injured.