Incident
An aircraft departed Douala Airport at 1416 local time bound for Lagos. While climbing to an altitude of 6,500 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mount Cameroon, located 63 kilometers northwest of Douala Airport. The wreckage was located a few hours later, 800 meters below the summit.
Occupants and Injuries
The aircraft carried 55 occupants. Two passengers were seriously injured, while 53 other occupants were killed. Three days after the crash, on May 6, one of the survivors died from his injuries. On May 9, the second survivor died as well, bringing the total number of fatalities to 55.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by a lack of caution on the part of the pilot-in-command who deliberately selected a route which led the aircraft into a dangerous and even prohibited sector at too low an altitude. Additionally, he neglected his navigation and transferred to instrument flight when approaching the mountain range.