What happened
On a late evening departure from Algiers Airport, a charter flight bound for Mahón, Balearic Islands, Spain, vanished during its cruise phase. The aircraft was transporting 31 people, including three crew members and 28 passengers consisting of players, staff, and family members of the Air Liquide soccer team, who were traveling to participate in a New Year's tournament.
While flying at its designated altitude during the night, the pilot issued an emergency declaration at 23:09 local time. At the time of the transmission, the aircraft was positioned approximately 65 nautical miles north of Algiers. Shortly after this communication, the plane disappeared from radar and all radio contact with the crew was lost.
The aircraft subsequently crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Following the disappearance, search and rescue operations were launched involving authorities from France, Spain, and Algeria. Despite these intensive efforts, the search was terminated several days later when no wreckage or remains of the 31 occupants could be located.
Findings
No definitive conclusion regarding the crash could be reached because no trace of the aircraft was recovered during the search operations.