Incident Details
An ambulance flight departed Geneva-Cointrin Airport bound for Accra, with an intermediate stop at Zarzaitine-In Amenas Airport. The aircraft carried two doctors and two pilots. The mission aimed to repatriate a patient to London via Geneva after a crew change.
Sequence of Events
While descending to runway 05 at Zarzaitine-In Amenas Airport during nighttime, air traffic control informed the crew that runway 23 was in service. The crew executed a circuit and began their descent to runway 23. On final approach in low visibility due to the dark night, the crew failed to recognize their insufficient altitude. The aircraft struck the top of a sand dune, tearing off the undercarriage. It crash-landed approximately 3 kilometers short of the runway and burst into flames.
Injuries and Damage
Both doctors escaped uninjured. The female copilot sustained minor injuries, while the captain was seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be controlled flight into terrain during a visual approach completed in limited visibility due to the dark night.