No fatalities

Engine Overspeed Forces Emergency Landing in Prairie Near Tahoua (5U-AAJ)

Founkoueye, NigerFlight

On June 10, 1977, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 5U-AAJ) operated by Air Niger was involved in an aviation accident near Founkoueye, Niger in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Technical problems with the left engine in flight for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft en route to Tahoua experienced left engine overspeed, leading to emergency belly landing in prairie. All 21 occupants evacuated safely; aircraft damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview

An aircraft en route to Tahoua encountered technical difficulties with its left engine, which oversped during flight. The crew, unable to maintain a safe altitude, initiated an emergency landing in a prairie area.

Emergency Landing

The aircraft executed a belly landing on the grassy terrain, sliding for several meters before coming to a stop. Despite the impact, all 21 occupants on board evacuated the aircraft safely and without reported injuries.

Aircraft Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the landing and subsequent slide, rendering it beyond economical repair.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation attributed the incident to technical problems with the left engine that occurred in flight for undetermined reasons. No further causal factors were identified in the report.

Probable cause

Technical problems with the left engine in flight for undetermined reasons.