What happened
On the flight from Tamanrasset to Constantine-Mohamed Boudiaf Airport, an aircraft carrying a group of soldiers and their families was conducting an approach to Runway 34. During the descent, the crew encountered challenging meteorological conditions, including light snowfall and wind gusts reaching 28 knots.
While maneuvering toward the destination, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Djebel Ta Fertas, situated approximately 30 km south of Constantine Airport, near the area of Aïn Kercha. The impact resulted in a high number of casualties, with 76 fatalities and one passenger sustaining injuries.
Findings
- The descent was conducted during periods of low altitude relative to terrain.
- Adverse weather, specifically wind gusts and snow, was present during the approach phase.