Moroni - Mutsamudu
Flight / Schedule
Moroni - Mutsamudu
Aircraft
Let L-410Registration
9XR-RB
MSN
81 06 36
Year of Manufacture
1981
Operator
Ocean AirlinesDate
December 27, 2002 at 12:15 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Mutsamudu All Comoros Islands
Region
Africa • Comoros Islands
Crash Cause
Weather
Narrative Report
On December 27, 2002 at 12:15 PM, Moroni - Mutsamudu experienced a crash involving Let L-410, operated by Ocean Airlines, with the event recorded near Mutsamudu All Comoros Islands.
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, 1 fatalities were recorded, 15 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 6.3%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 13, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is weather. While approaching Mutsamudu Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. The crew followed a holding pattern about 30 km away from the airport for weather improvement. Few minutes later, the crew started the descent to Mutsamudu-Ouani Airport. On approach at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the aircraft was struck by lightning. The crew elected to initiate a go-around procedure but the electrical system partially failed due to lightning and both gyro compasses and artificial horizons failed. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located few km from the airport. A passenger was killed while 15 other occupants were injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration 9XR-RB, MSN 81 06 36, year of manufacture 1981.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
0
Passengers
1
Other
0
Crash Summary
While approaching Mutsamudu Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. The crew followed a holding pattern about 30 km away from the airport for weather improvement. Few minutes later, the crew started the descent to Mutsamudu-Ouani Airport. On approach at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the aircraft was struck by lightning. The crew elected to initiate a go-around procedure but the electrical system partially failed due to lightning and both gyro compasses and artificial horizons failed. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located few km from the airport. A passenger was killed while 15 other occupants were injured.
Cause: Weather
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
13
Estimated Survivors
15
Fatality Rate
6.3%
Known people on board: 16
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Moroni - Mutsamudu
Operator
Ocean AirlinesFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Africa • Comoros Islands
Aircraft Details
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