What happened
A twin-engine aircraft was performing a specialized flight from Nouakchott to the Tasiast Airstrip, serving the Tasiast Gold Mine on behalf of the Kinross Gold Corporation. During the initial climb phase following departure, the aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall. This led to the plane crashing into a desert region situated beyond the end of the runway.
The impact and subsequent post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were seven fatalities among the occupants of the plane. The crew consisted of two Mauritanian Customs Officers, while the passenger manifest included three security personnel employed by the Kinross Gold Corporation, who were tasked with transporting a shipment of gold to Nouakchott.
Findings
The investigation into the accident identified that the aircraft stalled during its ascent immediately after takeoff, which directly led to the loss of control and the subsequent impact with the ground.