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Cargo aircraft engine failure following sandstorm encounter (F-BYCU)

Tangier, MoroccoFlight

On November 11, 1984, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration F-BYCU) operated by Stellair was involved in an aviation accident near Tangier, Morocco in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engines failed because the aircraft ran out of fuel following a period of disorientation caused by a sandstorm. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered F-BYCU
Aircraft registered F-BYCU. Photo: Anidaat / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A cargo flight experienced total engine failure due to fuel exhaustion after encountering a sandstorm, resulting in an emergency landing with no fatalities.

What happened

During a scheduled cargo operation, the flight crew encountered a significant sandstorm that disrupted their navigation. This environmental condition led to the aircraft becoming lost while in flight. As the mission continued under these difficult conditions, the aircraft's engines ceased functioning because the fuel supply was completely depleted.

Following the loss of power, the crew initiated an emergency landing procedure to secure the aircraft. Although the impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, there were no fatalities or injuries reported among the crew during the incident.

Findings

  • The primary factor leading to the loss of propulsion was fuel exhaustion.
  • Reduced visibility and navigational difficulties were caused by an encounter with a sandstorm.

Probable cause

The engines failed because the aircraft ran out of fuel following a period of disorientation caused by a sandstorm.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

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