Incident Summary
A four-engine aircraft operating a flight from Paris-Le Bourget Airport to Lomé, Togo, with a stop in Valencia, Spain, experienced an inflight emergency over Niger. After dropping off members of the chorus of the University of Bénin-Togo in Valencia, the crew departed Valencia on the final leg to Lomé. While at cruising altitude over Niger, the crew reported smoke spreading in the cockpit to air traffic control and received clearance for an emergency descent and landing at Niamey-Diori Hamani Airport.
Sequence of Events
On approach to Niamey, the crew was unable to lower the landing gear due to a failure of the hydraulic systems. Consequently, the aircraft performed a belly landing. After touchdown, the aircraft slid for several dozen metres before coming to rest and subsequently bursting into flames. All 10 occupants on board exited the aircraft without injury, but the aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, it is believed that the inflight smoke and fire were the consequence of an electrical short-circuit.