Marseille – Algiers – Hassi Messaoud
Flight / Schedule
Marseille – Algiers – Hassi Messaoud
Aircraft
Sud-Aviation SE-210 CaravelleRegistration
7T-VAK
MSN
73
Year of Manufacture
1961
Operator
Air AlgérieDate
July 26, 1969 at 01:30 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Desert
Crash Location
Aïn Naga Biskra
Region
Africa • Algeria
Coordinates
34.6535°, 6.1416°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On July 26, 1969 at 01:30 AM, Marseille – Algiers – Hassi Messaoud experienced a crash involving Sud-Aviation SE-210 Caravelle, operated by Air Algérie, with the event recorded near Aïn Naga Biskra.
The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was flight at a desert crash site.
37 people were known to be on board, 35 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 94.6%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 30, passenger fatalities: 30, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The airplane was completing a charter flight from Marseille to Hassi Messaoud with an intermediate stop in Algiers, carrying French technicians flying to the Oil facilities in Hassi Messaoud. While in cruising altitude by night, an electrical short-circuit occurred in the cockpit panel, causing smoke to spread. The crew declared an emergency and elected to divert to Biskra Airport. While descending to Biskra, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in a desert area located near Aïn Naga, some 40 km southeast of Biskra. Both pilots were seriously injured while all 35 other occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration 7T-VAK, MSN 73, year of manufacture 1961.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 34.6535°, 6.1416°.
Fatalities
Total
35
Crew
5
Passengers
30
Other
0
Crash Summary
The airplane was completing a charter flight from Marseille to Hassi Messaoud with an intermediate stop in Algiers, carrying French technicians flying to the Oil facilities in Hassi Messaoud. While in cruising altitude by night, an electrical short-circuit occurred in the cockpit panel, causing smoke to spread. The crew declared an emergency and elected to divert to Biskra Airport. While descending to Biskra, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in a desert area located near Aïn Naga, some 40 km southeast of Biskra. Both pilots were seriously injured while all 35 other occupants were killed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
30
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
94.6%
Known people on board: 37
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Marseille – Algiers – Hassi Messaoud
Operator
Air AlgérieFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Desert
Region / Country
Africa • Algeria
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Compagnie Générale d'Entreprises Aéronautiques - CGEA
Lioré-et-Olivier LeO H-13
While descending to Oran, an engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft. While both crew were uninjured, the aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: Robert Collet, pilot, Paul Morvan, radio.
Air Union France
SPCA Météore 63
Shortly after takeoff from Algiers, the three engine seaplane stalled and crashed in the sea. The engineer was injured, the navigator was uninjured and the pilot Louis Larmor was killed. It seems that an engine failed shortly after takeoff. Crew: Louis Larmor, pilot, † Pierre Ducaud, radio, Vincent Riera, mechanic.
L'Aéropostale
Lioré-et-Olivier LeO H-13
While approaching the Algerian coast, the crew encountered engine problems and attempted to ditch the aircraft few km offshore. The airplane landed on rough sea and was badly damaged. Both crew and both passengers were rescued by the crew of the French ship named 'Capitaine-Faure' while the aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: Marceau Méresse, pilot, Jean Le Duff, radio. Passengers: Mr. Plamont, Mr. Doerfinger.
Spanish Air Force - Aeronáutica Militar
Dornier Do J Wal
The seaplane departed the bay of Los Alcázares at 0900LT on a flight to Melilla, carrying three crew members. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated. Five days later, on 5 January 1929, the wreckage was found four km west of Cape Figalo, Algeria. All three crew members were killed. Crew: Cdt Caulac, Cpt Pauler +1.
L'Aéropostale
CAMS 53
During the takeoff roll from the Algiers harbor, at high speed, the seaplane hit a wreck partially submerged. The hull torn off and the aircraft came to rest in water, partially destroyed. The crew of the French ship named 'Colonel-Casse' was able to rescue the captain who was slightly injured while all five other occupants were killed. Crew: Max Ringel, pilot, Mr. Canal, radio, André Dupont, mechanic. Passenger: Clovis Armani, Champion of France of fencing (he was on his way to Budapest to take part to a fencing competition), Mrs. Armani, Mrs. Canal.
L'Aéropostale
CAMS 53
The aircraft departed Marseille at 0813LT on a mail flight to Algiers. At 1040LT, the crew reported his position along the Balearic coast. Around noon, while approaching the Algerian coast, the pilot sent a brief message and announced he was forced to attempt an emergency landing off Cape of Pointe Pescade, some 30 km northwest of Algiers, due to an engine failure. All three crew members were uninjured and rescued around 1600LT by the crew of ship named 'Colonel Casse'. The aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: Mr. De Visa, pilot, Maurice Thomasset, radio navigator, Albin Pinot, mechanic.