Paris – Bordeaux – Bamako – Abidjan

On September 24, 1959 at 11:24 PM, Paris – Bordeaux – Bamako – Abidjan experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-7, operated by Transports Aériens Intercontinentaux - TAI, with the event recorded near Bordeaux-Mérignac Gironde.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

65 people were known to be on board, 54 fatalities were recorded, 11 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 83.1%.

Crew on board: 9, crew fatalities: 9, passengers on board: 56, passenger fatalities: 45, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Shortly after a night takeoff from runway 23 at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the aircraft followed a straight-in path but failed to gain sufficient height. After a short course, while at an altitude of about 100 feet, the four engine aircraft struck pine trees, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 1,050 meters past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 9 crew members and 45 passengers were killed. Eleven passengers were seriously injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration F-BIAP, MSN 45366, year of manufacture 1957.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 44.8311°, -0.6917°.