What happened
On the evening of the accident, a four-engine aircraft with dual registration F-RAFB and 4SL (43748) was scheduled to fly from Saint-Denis de la Réunion to Paris via Djibouti City for the Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles (GLAM). The aircraft had arrived at Saint-Denis Airport earlier that morning and was intended to remain grounded overnight. Although the crew had been released for the day, they were recalled to perform the evening departure.
During takeoff from runway 13 in light rain, the aircraft began a flight phase of initial climb. Approximately 55 seconds after departing the runway, air traffic control notified the pilot that the aircraft was deviating from its intended course and instructed an immediate left turn while climbing. Upon acknowledging this instruction, the left wing collided with two araucaria trees. The impact caused the aircraft to crash into a wooded area roughly 5 km southeast of the airport, where a post-crash fire ensued.
The accident resulted in 19 fatalities and one survivor. The wreckage was completely destroyed by the force of the impact and subsequent flames.