Aden – Hargeisa

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Hargeisa Airport on a flight from Aden. All 15 occupants were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Aden – Hargeisa

Registration

VR-AAM

MSN

15530/26975

Year of Manufacture

1944

Operator

Aden Airways

Date

April 12, 1964 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Hargeisa Woqooyi Galbeed (<U+0648><U+0642><U+0648><U+064A><U+064A> <U+062C><U+0627><U+0644><U+0628><U+064A><U+062F><U+200E>)

Region

Africa • Somalia

Narrative Report

On April 12, 1964 at 12:00 AM, Aden – Hargeisa experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Aden Airways, with the event recorded near Hargeisa Woqooyi Galbeed (<U+0648><U+0642><U+0648><U+064A><U+064A> <U+062C><U+0627><U+0644><U+0628><U+064A><U+062F><U+200E>).

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

15 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 12, passenger fatalities: 12, other fatalities: 0.

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Hargeisa Airport on a flight from Aden. All 15 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration VR-AAM, MSN 15530/26975, year of manufacture 1944.

Fatalities

Total

15

Crew

3

Passengers

12

Other

0

Crash Summary

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Hargeisa Airport on a flight from Aden. All 15 occupants were killed.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

12

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 15

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Aden – Hargeisa

Operator

Aden Airways

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Africa • Somalia

Aircraft Details

Registration

VR-AAM

MSN

15530/26975

Year of Manufacture

1944

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