What happened
On 25 December 2003, a scheduled Union des Transports Africains (UTA) flight, operating as GIH 141, was preparing for its second leg from Cotonou, Benin, toward Beirut via Kufra. The aircraft, a Boeing 727-223 with registration 3X-GDO, had arrived from Conakty and underwent a complex boarding process involving passengers from multiple incoming flights. During this period, the ground handling process was marked by significant disorder. Baggage loading was conducted without precise weight verification, as agents were directed to load the forward hold despite it already containing items.
The flight crew proceeded with the departure despite concerns regarding the aircraft's exact weight and balance. The takeoff roll began at 13:58, but air traffic controllers noted an unusually long acceleration period. As the aircraft reached rotation speed, the pilot flying attempted to lift the nose, but the angle of attack increased only minimally. Shortly after leaving the runway, the aircraft struck a localizer building located on the extended centerline. The impact caused the right main landing gear to detach and damaged the wing flaps. Following the collision, the plane banked right and crashed into a nearby beach and the ocean, breaking into multiple fragments.
The accident resulted in multiple fatalities, including a technician working at the localizer site, while several survivors were recovered from the wreckage and the surrounding water.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary cause of the accident was the flight crew's inability to rotate the overloaded airplane due to an unknown forward center of gravity. This was compounded by structural failures within the airline, specifically a lack of organizational competence and inadequate regulatory documentation, which prevented accurate weight and balance monitoring. Additionally, insufficient oversight from civil aviation authorities contributed to the unsafe operating environment. Other contributing factors included the use of improper weight documentation, the presence of a non-frangible building near the runway threshold, and high ambient temperatures during departure.