Air Afrique

Boeing 737-200

During the takeoff roll on runway 23 at Douala Airport, at a speed of 110 knots, the crew noted a loud bang and decided to abort. The crew initiated an emergency braking procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and both engines before coming to rest 130 metres further, bursting into flames. All 114 occupants were evacuated, among them 20 were slightly injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Boeing 707

Following an uneventful cargo flight from Paris, the crew completed the landing on runway 05 by night. After touchdown, the crew started the braking procedure and selected spoilers and reverse thrust. The aircraft started to veer to the left so the captain decided to reduce the use of the reverse thrust systems. On a wet runway surface, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran at a speed of 10 knots. The aircraft sank on soft ground and the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest about 50 metres past the runway end and was damaged beyond repair. All six crew members escaped uninjured.

Boeing 707

The approach to Abidjan-Félix Houphouët Boigny Airport was completed by night with a reduced visibility to 1,250 metres due to low isolated clouds. On short final, the aircraft struck the ground 30 metres short of runway 21 threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft slid on its belly for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All six crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

On final approach to Fort-Archambault Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. The captain failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 4 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were injured.

Douglas DC-6

The four engine aircraft departed Douala Airport at 1416LT bound for Lagos. While climbing to an altitude of 6,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Cameroon located 63 km northwest of Douala Airport. The wreckage was located few hours later 800 meters below the summit. Two passengers were seriously injured while 53 other occupants were killed. Three days after the crash, on May 6, one of the survivor died from his injuries and on May 9, the second survivor died as well.

Bloch MB.120

While approaching the city of Coquilhatville (now Mbandaka) from the north, the three engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances on an island located on the River Congo, some 40 km north of Coquilhatville. All three crew were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

While approaching Constantine, crew encountered poor weather conditions with low visibility caused by fog. Aircraft hit a hill and crashed near El Aria, some 45 km southeast of Constantine. All six occupants were injured.

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.