Accident Details
A military transport aircraft conducting a troop transport flight from Boufarik to Tindouf, with an intermediate stop in Béchar, west Algeria, crashed shortly after takeoff from Boufarik Air Force Base. The base is located approximately 25 km southwest of Algiers. The aircraft was carrying 247 soldiers and their family members along with 10 crew members, totaling 257 occupants.
While climbing to a height of about 150 meters, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an agricultural zone near the airport, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire.
Casualties
Algerian Authorities quickly confirmed that none of the 257 occupants survived the crash. Among the victims were 26 members of the Front Polisario.
Eyewitness Accounts
According to first testimonies, it appears that the left wing (possibly the engine) was on fire when control was lost.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft type, registration, engine count, date of occurrence, and operator are not specified in the source. The aircraft was engaged in a troop transport mission.