1998-06-26: Beechcraft 200 Super King Air (ZS-MSL) — Federal Airlines — Abidjan, Ivory Coast

8 fatalitiesAbidjan, Ivory CoastLanding (descent or approach)

A twin-engine aircraft crashed during its approach to Abidjan-Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport, resulting in the deaths of all eight people on board.

What happened

A twin-engine aircraft was performing a special flight originating from Luanda, with a scheduled stop in Lomé, en route to Abidjan. The flight was transporting one pilot and seven emissaries representing the United Nations. As the aircraft was descending toward Abidjan-Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport, the crew encountered heavy fog that significantly reduced visibility.

During the approach phase, the aircraft entered a left turn and subsequently began an uncontrolled descent. The plane crashed approximately 30 km from the destination airport. There were eight fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.

Findings

Investigations into the accident suggest that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation while navigating through the low-visibility conditions caused by fog. At the time of the incident, recorded winds were 240 degrees at 7 knots.

Probable cause

The pilot likely lost control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation while flying in heavy fog.