Sobelair

Boeing 707

The four engine airplane departed Brussels-Zavantem Airport runway 02 at 0929LT on a charter flight to Tenerife-Sur Reina Sofia with 110 passengers and a crew of seven on board. While climbing to an altitude of 7,000 feet, the engine n°3 exploded and caught fire. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return for a landing on runway 25L. After the fire was contained and while completing a last turn on final, the airplane was approaching too fast and overshot so the pilot decided to land on runway 25R. After touchdown, reversers on engine n°1 and 4 were activated and the crew initiated an emergency braking procedure. Nevertheless, the captain considered the remaining distance as insufficient and decided to steer the aircraft to the left of the runway where it came to rest. All 117 occupants were quickly rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle

The airplane, leased by Sobelair to Royal Air Maroc, was completing a charter flight from Paris to Casablanca with an intermediate stop in Tangier. While descending to Tangier-Boukhalef Airport by night and poor weather conditions, the crew completed a circuit too far to the east when, at an altitude of 2,300 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Mellaline located about 17 km northwest of Tétouan. The wreckage was found a day later and all 106 occupants have been killed. Most of them were Moroccan citizen flying back home for the end of year celebrations. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity and a visibility below minimums.

Douglas DC-6

Shortly after takeoff from Málaga Airport, while on a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems and was cleared to return for a safe landing. On final, ATC confirmed to the pilot that the left main gear was not down. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the left and came to rest in a grassy area. While all seven crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Following an uneventful flight from Cairo, the crew started the descent to Bunia in marginal weather conditions. In limited visibility due to low clouds, the pilot-in-command continued the approach at an insufficient altitude when the four engine aircraft struck the slope of the Bogoro Peak located about 8 km short of runway. The wreckage was found 60 meters below the summit and all 35 occupants have been killed.