5 fatalities

1980-02-06: Gulfstream GII (TR-KHB) — Gabonese Government — N'Gaoundéré, Cameroon

N'Gaoundéré, CameroonLanding (descent or approach)

On February 6, 1980, a Gulfstream GII (registration TR-KHB) operated by Gabonese Government was involved in an aviation accident near N'Gaoundéré, Cameroon during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew failed to realize the aircraft's altitude was too low during approach. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781224291Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on a flight from N'Djamena to Libreville crashed 10 km short of the runway in N'Gaoundéré, Cameroon, killing all five occupants, including a French presidential advisor.

Incident

An aircraft en route from N'Djamena, Chad, to Libreville, Gabon, with an intermediate stop in N'Gaoundéré, Cameroon, crashed during the approach phase. The crew failed to realize that the aircraft's altitude was too low, and the airplane struck the ground approximately 10 kilometers short of the runway. The impact totally destroyed the aircraft.

Casualties

All five occupants—two pilots and three passengers—were killed in the crash. Among the victims was René Journiac, the personal advisor for African affairs to French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Journiac was making a stop in N'Gaoundéré to meet Ahmadou Ahidjo, the President of Cameroon.

Probable Cause

The investigation determined that the crew failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was too low during the approach, leading to the crash.