Compagnie Générale TransSaharienne - CGT France

Caudron C.280 Phalène

Crew was performing a mail flight from Algiers to Cotonou with intermediate stops in Colomb-Béchar, Bidon 5 and Gao. On the last leg from Gao to Cotonou, crew encountered poor weather conditions due to a sandstorm. In low visibility, he decided to reduce his altitude when the aircraft hit the ground and crashed. While both occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.

Farman F.190

The aircraft was on its way from Reggane, Algeria, to Gao, Mali, with a targui interpret and one pilot (Pierre Obrecht) on board. Few minutes after the stopover in Bidon 5, the pilot encountered control problems and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed some 8 km south of Bidon 5 and was damaged beyond repair. Both occupants were rescued three days later, on December 31.