Libreville - Booué

On April 23, 1998 at 08:00 AM, Libreville - Booué experienced a crash involving Short 330, operated by SAFT Gabon - Société Anonyme de Fret et de Transport, with the event recorded near La Lopé Ogooué-Ivindo (Makokou).

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.

16 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 16 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 13, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While approaching Booué Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. As a landing was impossible in such conditions, the crew decided to return to Libreville but en route, ATC confirmed that weather was poor and the crew decided to divert to La Lopé Airport. After landing on a wet runway surface (La Lopé runway is 800 metres long), the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance and overran. While contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed then the aircraft rolled for about 50 metres before coming to rest in a rocky area. All 16 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration TR-LEH, MSN 3075, year of manufacture 1981.