ET-AFW

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight, the airplane disappeared from radar screens. The wreckage was found in a desert area near Barentu and all five occupants were killed. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.

Flight / Schedule

ET-AFW

Registration

ET-AFW

MSN

16681/33429

Year of Manufacture

1945

Date

February 19, 1979 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Desert

Crash Location

Barentu Gash-Barka

Region

Africa • Eritrea

Coordinates

15.1057°, 37.5889°

Crash Cause

Terrorism act, Hijacking, Sabotage

Narrative Report

On February 19, 1979 at 12:00 AM, ET-AFW experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Ethiopian Airlines, with the event recorded near Barentu Gash-Barka.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was flight at a desert crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 5 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: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is terrorism act, hijacking, sabotage. While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight, the airplane disappeared from radar screens. The wreckage was found in a desert area near Barentu and all five occupants were killed. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.

Aircraft reference details include registration ET-AFW, MSN 16681/33429, year of manufacture 1945.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 15.1057°, 37.5889°.

Fatalities

Total

5

Crew

3

Passengers

2

Other

0

Crash Summary

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight, the airplane disappeared from radar screens. The wreckage was found in a desert area near Barentu and all five occupants were killed. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.

Cause: Terrorism act, Hijacking, Sabotage

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

2

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 5

Operational Details

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Desert

Region / Country

Africa • Eritrea

Aircraft Details

Registration

ET-AFW

MSN

16681/33429

Year of Manufacture

1945