27 fatalities

1999-02-02: Antonov AN-12 (EY-ASS) — Savanair — Luanda-4 de Fevereiro, Angola

Luanda-4 de Fevereiro, AngolaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 2, 1999, an Antonov AN-12 (registration EY-ASS) operated by Savanair was involved in an aviation accident near Luanda-4 de Fevereiro, Angola during landing or approach. 27 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the engine n°1 that caught fire during initial climb for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781204576Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo aircraft returning to Luanda after reporting engine trouble crashed short of the runway, destroying houses and killing all 14 occupants and 13 people on the ground. Four others were seriously injured.

Accident

A cargo aircraft departed from Luanda-4 de Fevereiro Airport at night on a flight to Lucapa. Shortly after takeoff, the captain informed air traffic control of technical problems with the number one engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. During the final approach, the crew lost control of the airplane. It crashed in the district of Bairro Cazenga, less than 5 kilometers short of runway 25 threshold. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.

Casualties

All 14 occupants of the aircraft—passengers and crew—were killed. On the ground, 13 people lost their lives and four others were seriously injured.

Investigation

Investigators examined the wreckage and flight data to determine the sequence of events. The official findings identified a failure of the number one engine, which had caught fire during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause is the failure of engine number one, which caught fire during initial climb for unknown reasons.