Aircraft crash near Bulki during approach to Jimma

1 fatality • Jimma, Ethiopia • Landing (descent or approach)

A flight transporting coffee from Bulki to Jimma crashed into a mountainside during its approach due to adverse weather and low altitude.

What happened

A scheduled flight departing from Bulki at 12:04 local time was en route to Jimma when the accident occurred. The aircraft, which was carrying eight passengers, a crew of three, and a cargo of coffee, was performing its approach phase when it encountered unfavorable weather conditions. During this maneuver, the plane descended too low and collided with a mountain slope situated approximately 27 km south of the destination airfield.

The impact resulted in one fatality among the crew and left ten passengers and crew members injured during the event.

Findings

Investigations into the crash identified several critical errors made during the flight. The pilot attempted to maintain visual flight rules despite the weather conditions significantly deteriorating. Furthermore, the investigation concluded that the pilot failed to properly account for the performance limits of the aircraft type, specifically by attempting an ascent at a velocity that was lower than the minimum safe climbing speed required for the operation.

Probable cause

The pilot attempted to maintain visual flight rules in worsening weather and failed to maintain the minimum safe climbing speed required for the aircraft's performance.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1960-07-15 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Jimma, Ethiopia?

A flight transporting coffee from Bulki to Jimma crashed into a mountainside during its approach due to adverse weather and low altitude.

Were there any fatalities in the 1960-07-15 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1960-07-15 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration ET-T-18, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, at Jimma, Ethiopia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot attempted to maintain visual flight rules in worsening weather and failed to maintain the minimum safe climbing speed required for the aircraft's performance.

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