Accident Overview
A light aircraft operating an administrative flight for MINURSO (the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) crashed during takeoff from Awsard airfield. The aircraft was bound for Agwanit when the pilot encountered an unspecified problem shortly after departure, causing the aircraft to roll to starboard and impact the ground near the runway. The verges of the airfield were heavily sown with landmines.
Occupants
On board were four MINURSO personnel: a UN Field Service generator technician, an Australian Signals Contingent doctor, a Swiss Medical Unit nurse, and a Swiss Medical Unit pilot. Two of the occupants were killed on impact. A third occupant died of injuries soon after. The Swiss nurse survived with critical injuries and was medically evacuated first to Gran Canaria, then to Switzerland.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the actual cause of the crash could not be identified. However, the crash was attributed to an error by the deceased pilot. Investigators noted that there remained suspicion that the starboard wing had been struck by one of the violent downdrafts for which Awsard airfield was well known.