Dewoitine D.342 accident at Ahmer El Aïn, Algeria, 27 Sept 1942 (F-ARIZ)
On September 27, 1942, a Dewoitine D.342 (registration F-ARIZ) operated by Air France was involved in an aviation accident near Ahmer El Aïn, Algeria in flight. 25 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the accident was caused by the explosion of a bomb was not ruled out. 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.
Probable cause
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the accident was caused by the explosion of a bomb was not ruled out. It is possible that an explosive device was placed by the engine spindle, causing the failure of the engine and the wing spar as well. At the time of the accident, the French General Charles Noguès was supposed to take this airplane to Dakar but during the stopover in Algiers, he changed his itinerary and embarked on the Martin 167 of the French General Bergeret bound for Casablanca. His personal stuff were still in the Dewoitine at the time of the accident.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The three engine airplane was performing a special flight from Paris to Dakar with intermediate stops in Marseille and Algiers, carrying Air France personnel and family members (children and spouses) who were transferred to a new base in Dakar. Few minutes after takeoff from Algiers-Maison Blanche Airport, while flying in good weather conditions bound for Dakar, the airplane apparently suffered an explosion. Instantly, the left wing and the left engine fell away. Out of control, the airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed in hilly terrain near Ahmer El Aïn, west of Blida, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally wrecked and all 25 occupants were killed. Among the passengers were the wife and the son of the French General Jean Barreau, Chief of Staff of the French troops based in the French West Africa. Crew: Gaston Chenu, pilot, Fernand Renier, flight engineer, Albert Jellade, radio navigator, Robert Haeflinger, barman. Passengers: Robert Arnoult, pilot, Pierre Casanova, pilot, André Beaufils, flight engineer, Mrs Bompard, Mrs Cavalera & son, Mrs Gaudin, Mrs Ballard, Mrs Gaston and daughter, Mrs Serignac and son, Mrs Pau and son, Mrs Serfati, Mr. Cremaille, Mrs Barreau and son, Mr. Fessy, Mr. Haffen, Mr. Georges.
Probable cause (official findings): The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the accident was caused by the explosion of a bomb was not ruled out. It is possible that an explosive device was placed by the engine spindle, causing the failure of the engine and the wing spar as well. At the time of the accident, the French General Charles Noguès was supposed to take this airplane to Dakar but during the stopover in Algiers, he changed his itinerary and embarked on the Martin 167 of the French General Bergeret bound for Casablanca. His personal stuff were still in the Dewoitine at the time of the accident.