What happened
A cargo flight operated by DHL Airways was performing a transport mission from Port Gentil to Libreville when the incident occurred. While the crew was performing an approach to Libreville-Léon Mba Airport, the captain notified air traffic control of issues regarding the aircraft's hydraulic systems. In response to these technical difficulties, the crew executed a go-around maneuver.
During this phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a stall and subsequently impacted the ocean approximately 2.3 km southeast of the airport. Although the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, all four occupants were successfully rescued from the wreckage.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified that a failure of the hydraulic system prevented the crew from successfully lowering the landing gear. This mechanical malfunction was a critical factor during the attempted go-around and subsequent loss of control.