Runway excursion at Lucapa Airport involving cargo aircraft

7 fatalities • Lucapa, Angola • Landing (descent or approach)

A cargo flight operating for Hellier International Ltd overran the runway at Lucapa Airport at night, resulting in seven fatalities.

What happened

During a nighttime cargo operation from Luanda to Lucapa, an aircraft operated by Hellier International Ltd was transporting 12.6 tons of fish along with 13 passengers and six crew members. Upon landing at Lucapa Airport, the flight crew initiated braking maneuvers; however, a sudden failure of the runway lighting system occurred during this phase.

Following the loss of visibility, the crew lost control of the aircraft, which subsequently exited the runway. The vehicle traveled approximately 60 meters beyond the end of the paved surface before colliding with a residential structure. The accident resulted in seven fatalities, including six passengers who were located in the cargo compartment and one individual residing in the house. There were no other reported injuries among the crew or the remaining passengers.

Findings

  • The primary factor in the loss of control was the failure of the runway lighting system during the landing roll.

Probable cause

The sudden failure of runway lighting during the braking phase led to the crew losing control of the aircraft and overrunning the runway.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-10-06 Antonov AN-12 accident near Lucapa, Angola?

A cargo flight operating for Hellier International Ltd overran the runway at Lucapa Airport at night, resulting in seven fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1996-10-06 Antonov AN-12 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-10-06 involved a Antonov AN-12, registration RA-11101, operated by GOSNII GA - Gosudarstvenny Issledovatelny Institut Grazhdanskoi Aviatsii, at Lucapa, Angola.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The sudden failure of runway lighting during the braking phase led to the crew losing control of the aircraft and overrunning the runway.

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