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3 fatalities

UT736 Takeoff Accident at Salisbury Airport (F-BGTZ)

Harare, ZimbabweTakeoff (climb)

On December 26, 1958, a Douglas DC-6 (registration F-BGTZ) operated by Union Aéromaritime de Transport - UAT was involved in an aviation accident near Harare, Zimbabwe during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck the ground shortly after take-off as a result of an uncontrollable loss of airspeed and height due to a sudden squall accompanying the onset of a thunderstorm. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A UAT scheduled service from Johannesburg to Paris crashed shortly after takeoff at Salisbury Airport due to a sudden squall, killing three passengers.

Incident Overview and Flight Details On 1252LT, a UAT scheduled service, flight UT736, departed Salisbury Airport for Brazzaville as part of a Johannesburg to Paris route. The aircraft took off from runway 24 and entered rain during the initial climb. The flight was carrying 7 crew members and 63 passengers at the time of the incident. The aircraft climbed to approximately 50 feet before beginning to lose airspeed and altitude. Despite the captain applying full power, extending 20 inches of flap, and retracting the undercarriage, the aircraft was unable to maintain lift and sank back to the ground. A fire broke out immediately after the impact. Three of the 63 passengers on board were killed in the accident.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the ground shortly after take-off as a result of an uncontrollable loss of airspeed and height due to a sudden squall accompanying the onset of a thunderstorm.
Weather

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Dec 1958 Douglas DC-6 accident near Harare, Zimbabwe?

A UAT scheduled service from Johannesburg to Paris crashed shortly after takeoff at Salisbury Airport due to a sudden squall, killing three passengers.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Dec 1958 Douglas DC-6 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Dec 1958 involved a Douglas DC-6, registration F-BGTZ, operated by Union Aéromaritime de Transport - UAT, at Harare, Zimbabwe.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck the ground shortly after take-off as a result of an uncontrollable loss of airspeed and height due to a sudden squall accompanying the onset of a thunderstorm.

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