Luanda – Lucapa

On March 12, 1997 at 12:00 AM, Luanda – Lucapa experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-12, operated by Von Haaf Air, with the event recorded near Lucapa Lunda Norte.

The flight was categorized as cargo 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: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to Lucapa in heavy fog, the captain was unable to establish a visual contact with the runway and decided to make a go-around. A second approach was abandoned few minutes later. During a third attempt to land, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the four engine aircraft hit obstacles some 200 metres to the right of the runway, crashed and burst into flames. All 15 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration RA-11531, MSN 6 34 45 06, year of manufacture 1966.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -8.4195°, 20.7411°.