What happened
On the day of the accident, an aircraft departed from N'Gaoundéré Airport at 12:50 local time. The flight was being conducted as a local test mission following the replacement of the fourth engine. The crew utilized this period to provide training for the co-pilot, who was being prepared for a promotion to captain.
While flying through favorable weather conditions, the aircraft entered a left bank and descended into the terrain. The impact occurred approximately 37 km southwest of N'Gaoundéré. After the flight failed to return to its origin, search and rescue operations were initiated. The wreckage was located in a remote area one day after the disappearance. There were eight fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that the aircraft struck trees while maintaining a significant left bank. Due to the extensive destruction of the wreckage, investigators could not definitively establish a specific reason for the descent; however, witness testimony from a local farmer indicated the plane was flying at a low altitude shortly before the impact.
Several unexplained factors were noted during the investigation, including:
- The cessation of engine number four
- The propeller pitch on engine three
- An extended flight duration
- A period of radio silence