Aircraft crash near Ras al-Mishab Airport during troop transport

98 fatalities • Ras al-Mishab, Saudi Arabia • Landing (descent or approach)

A four-engine transport aircraft crashed near Ras al-Mishab Airport while delivering Senegalese soldiers, resulting in 98 fatalities.

What happened

During a mission to transport 95 Senegalese soldiers participating in the Gulf War, a four-engine aircraft crashed a short distance from Ras al-Mishab Airport. As the flight crew attempted to approach the airfield, the visibility was severely compromised by dense black smoke originating from nearby oil well fires. During the approach, the aircraft descended to an insufficient altitude and struck the ground several kilometers from the runway.

Findings

  • The primary factor in the accident was the extremely low visibility caused by heavy smoke from burning oil wells.
  • The crew's descent profile was too low for the prevailing environmental conditions, leading to the impact.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the ground during approach due to the crew descending too low while navigating heavy smoke from oil well fires.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-03-21 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident near Ras al-Mishab, Saudi Arabia?

A four-engine transport aircraft crashed near Ras al-Mishab Airport while delivering Senegalese soldiers, resulting in 98 fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1991-03-21 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 98 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-03-21 involved a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, registration 469, operated by Royal Saudi Air Force (القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية), at Ras al-Mishab, Saudi Arabia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck the ground during approach due to the crew descending too low while navigating heavy smoke from oil well fires.

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