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Cargo Flight Crash in Lake Victoria During Approach to Lomé (9G-IRL)

Entebbe, UgandaLanding (descent or approach)

On March 19, 2005, a Boeing 707 (registration 9G-IRL) operated by Cargo Plus Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Entebbe, Uganda during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew continued the approach below MDA until the aircraft impacted water and crashed. The crew failed to follow the published procedures and to initiate a second go-around procedure. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 707
Photo: USAF / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A cargo aircraft crashed into Lake Victoria during a second landing attempt at Lomé, Togo, after a go-around. All five crew members were injured. The official cause was continuing below MDA.

Flight Details and Incident Overview The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Addis Ababa to Lomé, Togo, with an intermediate stop in Entebbe, Uganda. It carried five crew members and 32.8 tons of various goods, including T-shirts, on behalf of Ethiopian Airlines. ## Approach and Crash Sequence During the initial approach to runway 17 in 8 km visibility, the captain initiated a go-around. On a subsequent attempt to land on runway 35, the crew encountered local patches of fog. On short final, the aircraft crashed into Lake Victoria. ## Wreckage and Casualties The tail section was recovered approximately 200 metres offshore, while the cockpit was found near the shore. All five occupants sustained injuries. ## Official Findings The investigation determined that the crew continued the approach below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) until the aircraft impacted water. The crew failed to follow published procedures and did not initiate a second go-around.

Probable cause

The crew continued the approach below MDA until the aircraft impacted water and crashed. The crew failed to follow the published procedures and to initiate a second go-around procedure.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Mar 2005 Boeing 707 accident near Entebbe, Uganda?

A cargo aircraft crashed into Lake Victoria during a second landing attempt at Lomé, Togo, after a go-around. All five crew members were injured. The official cause was continuing below MDA.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Mar 2005 Boeing 707 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Mar 2005 involved a Boeing 707, registration 9G-IRL, operated by Cargo Plus Aviation, at Entebbe, Uganda.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew continued the approach below MDA until the aircraft impacted water and crashed. The crew failed to follow the published procedures and to initiate a second go-around procedure.

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