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19 fatalities

Aircraft Crash Offshore Libreville-Léon Mba Airport (TR-LFW)

Libreville, GabonLanding (descent or approach)

On June 8, 2004, an Avro 748 (registration TR-LFW) operated by Gabon Express was involved in an aviation accident near Libreville, Gabon during landing or approach. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of hydraulic pressure on the right engine forced the crew to shut down this engine and to feather its propeller. On approach, the crew was unable to lower the gears because of the loss of hydraulic pressure. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into the sea about 100 metres offshore Libreville-Léon Mba Airport after a technical problem. Eleven occupants were rescued, and 19 were killed, including one crew member.

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft departed Libreville-Léon Mba Airport at 0911LT on a flight to Franceville, with an intermediate stop in Port Gentil. The aircraft carried 26 passengers and four crew members on board. ## Emergency Declaration and Crash Few minutes after takeoff, the crew informed air traffic control about a technical problem and was cleared to return to Libreville. In excellent weather conditions, the aircraft overflew the runway and then crashed in the sea about 100 metres offshore. ## Casualties and Rescue Eleven occupants were rescued, while 19 others were killed, among them one crew member.

Probable cause

Loss of hydraulic pressure on the right engine forced the crew to shut down this engine and to feather its propeller. On approach, the crew was unable to lower the gears because of the loss of hydraulic pressure.

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