Léopoldville - Ndola

On September 17, 1961 at 10:13 PM, Léopoldville - Ndola experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-6, operated by Transair Sweden, with the event recorded near Ndola Copperbelt.

The flight was categorized as humanitarian and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

16 people were known to be on board, 16 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The airplane was conducting a special flight (UNO001) from Léopoldville to Ndola on behalf of the United Nations Organizations, carrying five crew members and a 11 passengers, among them Dag Hammarskjöld, United Nations General Secretary. During the final approach to Ndola by night, the four engine aircraft was too low, struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 15 km short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 16 occupants have been killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration SE-BDY, MSN 43559, year of manufacture 1952.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -13.0219°, 28.6574°.