Douala – Lagos
Flight / Schedule
Douala – Lagos
Aircraft
Douglas DC-6Registration
F-BIAO
MSN
45479
Year of Manufacture
1958
Operator
Air AfriqueDate
May 3, 1963 at 02:27 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Mt Cameroun Southwest
Region
Africa • Cameroon
Coordinates
4.2180°, 9.1734°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On May 3, 1963 at 02:27 PM, Douala – Lagos experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-6, operated by Air Afrique, with the event recorded near Mt Cameroun Southwest.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a mountains crash site.
55 people were known to be on board, 55 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 48, passenger fatalities: 48, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. 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.
Aircraft reference details include registration F-BIAO, MSN 45479, year of manufacture 1958.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 4.2180°, 9.1734°.
Fatalities
Total
55
Crew
7
Passengers
48
Other
0
Crash Summary
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.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
48
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 55
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Douala – Lagos
Operator
Air AfriqueFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
Africa • Cameroon
Aircraft Details
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