10 fatalities

1991-06-10: Lockheed C-130 Hercules (J6-SLQ) — Angola Air Charter — Luanda-4 de Fevereiro, Angola

Luanda-4 de Fevereiro, AngolaTakeoff (climb)

On June 10, 1991, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration J6-SLQ) operated by Angola Air Charter was involved in an aviation accident near Luanda-4 de Fevereiro, Angola during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Probable internal explosion of an unidentified foreign object in the fuel storage area of the right wing, causing loss of aerodynamic support on the right side, asymmetric weight, and subsequent stall. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781211956Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight from Luanda to Cafunfo crashed shortly after takeoff from runway 24, killing all 10 occupants. The investigation suggested a probable internal explosion in the right wing.

Incident

A cargo aircraft operated by Angola Air Charter, leased from Carib Air Transport, was completing a flight from Luanda to Cafunfo. The plane carried six passengers, four crew members, and a load of various goods for the Luanda Norte Province. Shortly after takeoff from runway 24, while climbing to a height of approximately 50–60 meters, the aircraft banked right then left. It stalled and struck the ground on the right side of the runway, disintegrating upon impact. All 10 occupants were killed.

Investigation

The investigation into the crash was severely hampered by the movement of the wreckage, ordered by an Air Force official without authorization from the civil aviation authorities (DNAC). Additionally, both flight recorders were not located in the wreckage. The commission found several pieces of debris along the right side of the runway, 300–400 meters from the crash site.

Probable Cause

The commission deduced that the accident likely originated from a probable internal explosion of an unidentified foreign object. The explosion possibly occurred in the fuel storage area of the right wing. This would have caused the aircraft to dip to the right due to lack of support on the aerodynamic planes on that side, then fall at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to runway 24 because of asymmetry in wing weight. Greater weight on the left side may have led to a stall, as the first impact was made by the tip of the left wing striking the ground, prior to the total destruction by fire.