Accident Summary
A four-engine cargo aircraft, conducting a freight operation from Mwanza to Ostend with planned stops in Mombasa and Cairo, crashed shortly after takeoff from runway 03. The aircraft was transporting 34 tons of fish and carried six crew members, who were the only occupants. Following takeoff, the aircraft collided with approach lights and an earth mound, then impacted the ground a few hundred meters beyond the end of the runway. The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft and claimed the lives of all six crew members.
Circumstances
At the time of the accident, a portion of runway 03 was closed. The first 2,600 feet of the 10,991-foot-long runway were not available due to ongoing construction work. The aircraft's total weight at takeoff was reported as 135 tons, comprising the airframe, crew, cargo, and fuel. The flight originated from Mwanza and was en route to Ostend, with intermediate stops in Mombasa and Cairo.
Aftermath
The aircraft was completely destroyed by the crash and subsequent fire. All six persons on board perished. The accident site was located a short distance past the departure end of runway 03.