What happened
During a flight approximately forty minutes after departure, the flight crew notified air traffic control of significant technical difficulties. The aircraft experienced the failure of both the number 1 and number 3 engines. In response to this emergency, controllers authorized the crew to perform an emergency return to Luanda-4 de Fevereiro Airport.
As the aircraft was descending through an altitude of 800 metres at a speed of 350 km/h, the descent rate increased to 3 metres per second. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground roughly 80 km north of Luanda. The impact and a subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were 13 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered the loss of two engines (number 1 and number 3) during the flight.
- The loss of dual engines led to an uncontrolled descent rate during the approach to the airport.