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50 fatalities

Aircraft Crash Off the Moroccan Coast During Approach to Tangier (EC-ATH)

Tangier-Boukhalef, MoroccoLanding (descent or approach)

On March 31, 1965, a Convair CV-440 Metropolitan (registration EC-ATH) operated by Iberia - Lineas Aéreas de Espana was involved in an aviation accident near Tangier-Boukhalef, Morocco during landing or approach. 50 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: For undetermined reasons, the aircraft stalled at an altitude from which recovery could not be effected. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into the sea about 10 nautical miles off the Moroccan coast while approaching Tangier. Fifty occupants were killed, and three passengers were rescued.

Flight Details and Approach Sequence The aircraft departed Malaga, Spain, at 0733 GMT on a non-scheduled international flight to Tangier, Morocco, with a return leg planned. Meteorological conditions were reported as good up to Gibraltar, but the aircraft encountered conditions below the general minima northwest of Tangier. The crew first contacted Tangier control tower at 0755 GMT, estimating arrival at Tangier at 0805 GMT. The 0720 GMT weather observation was then passed to the crew. At 0758 GMT, the crew was informed that the Tangier VOR was inoperative, and two minutes later they were requested to report at 2,500 feet over the TW locator or with the field in sight. At 0802 GMT, the crew was provided with the 0750 GMT weather observation, along with the latest QNH (1,024 mb) and QFE (1,022 mb). The crew acknowledged this information at 0803 GMT. All subsequent calls from Tangier control tower went unanswered. ## Crash and Casualties The aircraft crashed into the sea at approximately 0804 GMT, about 10 nautical miles off the Moroccan coast. Three passengers were rescued, while 50 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause

For undetermined reasons, the aircraft stalled at an altitude from which recovery could not be effected.

Related events

Same operator

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