Oran - Colomb-Béchar

On November 28, 1947 at 12:15 PM, Oran - Colomb-Béchar experienced a crash involving North American B-25 Mitchell, operated by GLAM - Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles, with the event recorded near Béchar Béchar.

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

13 people were known to be on board, 13 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: 9, passenger fatalities: 9, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft christened 'Tailly 2' left Oran at 1015LT in marginal weather conditions. Enroute, due to sandstorm, the captain decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground. Twice, the crew informed ground that his ETA in Colomb-Béchar was delayed about fifteen minutes. While descending at a too low altitude, the twin engine aircraft hit the ground near a railroad and crashed in a huge explosion about 56 km north of Colomb-Béchar. All thirteen occupants were killed, among them the French General Philippe Leclerc. Thirteen bodies were recovered and evacuated to France, but only twelve of them were identified. A thirteenth occupant, wearing a French Army uniform with the grade of Lieutenant was recovered but unidentified. Crew: Lt François-René Delluc, pilot, Lt André-René Pilleboue, navigator, Adj Jean Guillou, mechanic, Sgt Eugène Lamotte, radio operator. Passengers: Gen Philippe Leclerc, Col Théodore Fieschi, Col Charles Clémentin, Col Louis du Garreau de la Méchenie, Col Paul Fouchet, Cpt Georges Frichement, Cdt Michel Meyrrand, S/Lt Robert Miron de L'Espinay.

Aircraft reference details include registration 41-30330, MSN 87-8495.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 31.6169°, -2.2133°.