Adrar - Béchar
Flight / Schedule
Adrar - Béchar
Aircraft
Nord 262Registration
7T-VSU
MSN
19
Year of Manufacture
1966
Operator
Air AlgérieDate
January 24, 1979 at 07:40 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Desert
Crash Location
Béchar Béchar
Region
Africa • Algeria
Coordinates
31.6169°, -2.2133°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On January 24, 1979 at 07:40 PM, Adrar - Béchar experienced a crash involving Nord 262, operated by Air Algérie, with the event recorded near Béchar Béchar.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a desert crash site.
23 people were known to be on board, 14 fatalities were recorded, 9 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 60.9%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 20, passenger fatalities: 14, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On approach to Béchar Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a desert area located about 15 km from the runway threshold. 14 passengers were killed while nine other occupants, among them all three crew members, were injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration 7T-VSU, MSN 19, year of manufacture 1966.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 31.6169°, -2.2133°.
Fatalities
Total
14
Crew
0
Passengers
14
Other
0
Crash Summary
On approach to Béchar Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a desert area located about 15 km from the runway threshold. 14 passengers were killed while nine other occupants, among them all three crew members, were injured.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
20
Estimated Survivors
9
Fatality Rate
60.9%
Known people on board: 23
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Adrar - Béchar
Operator
Air AlgérieFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
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.