Kano Airport Takeoff Accident: Four-Engine Aircraft Crashes in Thunderstorm Cell (G-ALHE)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A four-engine aircraft departed runway 25 at Kano Airport bound for Tripoli in moderate rain. The aircraft climbed to an altitude of 250 feet before rapidly losing height. Despite the pilot-in-command ordering full power, the descent could not be checked, and the aircraft struck a tree and crashed approximately 1.5 miles from the end of the runway. The accident resulted in the deaths of three crew members and 29 passengers. ## Weather Conditions at Takeoff The reported weather conditions on runway 25 at the time of takeoff included cloud cover of 3/8 with a base at 2,500 feet, wind from 270° at 20 knots, visibility of 1,500 yards, and moderate rain. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the accident was the result of loss of height and airspeed caused by the aircraft encountering, at approximately 250 feet after takeoff, an unpredictable thunderstorm cell. This cell gave rise to a sudden reversal of wind direction, heavy rain, and possible downdraught conditions.