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Aircraft Strikes Sand Dune During Sandstorm Approach at In Salah Airport (F-BELK)

In Salah, AlgeriaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 30, 1958, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration F-BELK) operated by Air France was involved in an aviation accident near In Salah, Algeria during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. 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.

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

An aircraft struck a sand dune short of the runway at In Salah Airport while approaching in a sandstorm. The undercarriage was sheared off, and both engines detached, but there were no casualties.

Incident Overview During an approach to In Salah Airport, the crew encountered a sandstorm that reduced visibility. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and struck a sand dune short of the runway. ## Impact and Damage Upon impact, the undercarriage was sheared off, and the aircraft belly-landed in the sand before coming to rest. Both engines, identified as number two and three, detached from the airframe. ## Casualties There were no casualties reported in the incident. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or exact location beyond In Salah Airport.

Controlled flight into terrain

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