Paris – Algiers – Aoulef – Bidon V – Gao – Bamako

On July 29, 1950 at 03:00 AM, Paris – Algiers – Aoulef – Bidon V – Gao – Bamako experienced a crash involving Bristol 170 Freighter, operated by Compagnie Air Transport - CAT, with the event recorded near Tanezrouft Desert Adrar.

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

26 people were known to be on board, 26 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: 22, passenger fatalities: 22, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft left Aoulef Airfield at 0245LT bound for Bidon V. During the next 15 to 30 minutes, the crew maintained few radio contacts with the ground and eventually, the contact was lost around 0300LT. SAR operations were conducted and the crew of a GLAM Douglas DC-4 found the wreckage about 30 hours later, around 1815LT some 50 km west of the trail leading from Reggan to Bidon V. The debris were scattered on more than 2 km about 106 km southwest of Aoulef and all 26 occupants have been killed. Most of the passengers were locals from Bamako flying back home for vacations after studying in France. It is believed that an explosion occurred in the left wing in flight, most probably in the fuel tank, causing the left wing to detach. In such conditions, the aircraft was uncontrollable. The exact cause of the detonation remains unknown. Crew: Cpt Le Monigou 3.

Aircraft reference details include registration F-BENF, MSN 12738, year of manufacture 1946.