Aircraft disappearance and wreckage discovery on Mount Koupé

12 fatalities • Mt Koupé, Cameroon • Landing (descent or approach)

A four-engine aircraft disappeared while flying from Yaoundé to Douala, with its wreckage later discovered on the slopes of Mount Koupé.

What happened

A flight departing from Yaoundé at 16:58 local time was scheduled to arrive in Douala by 17:30. During the transit, the four-engine aircraft encountered marginal weather conditions while cruising. The plane struck a slope on Mount Koupé, which stands at an elevation of 2,064 meters, approximately 80 km north of its intended destination.

Following the failure of the flight to reach Douala, search and rescue operations were initiated. These efforts were eventually halted after several days when no evidence of the wreckage or the 12 fatalities could be located. The debris was not discovered until 19 February 1956, when hikers located the site within a heavily forested area on the mountain.

Findings

Investigators concluded that the accident was likely the result of controlled flight into terrain. While the impact occurred significantly north of the intended flight path between Yaoundé and Douala, official inquiries could not establish why the aircraft had deviated from its course or identify the specific reason for the collision.

Probable cause

The crash is attributed to controlled flight into terrain, though the exact reason for the navigational deviation remains undetermined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1955-04-18 De Havilland DH.114 Heron accident near Mt Koupé, Cameroon?

A four-engine aircraft disappeared while flying from Yaoundé to Douala, with its wreckage later discovered on the slopes of Mount Koupé.

Were there any fatalities in the 1955-04-18 De Havilland DH.114 Heron accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 12 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1955-04-18 involved a De Havilland DH.114 Heron, registration F-BGOI, operated by Union Aéromaritime de Transport - UAT, at Mt Koupé, Cameroon.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crash is attributed to controlled flight into terrain, though the exact reason for the navigational deviation remains undetermined.

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