What happened
A routine administrative flight, serving the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), was traveling from Awsard to Agwanit when the accident occurred. The aircraft was transporting four personnel, including a pilot, a doctor from the Australian Signals Contingent, a technician from the UN Field Service, and a nurse from the Swiss Medical Unit.
During the takeoff phase, the aircraft experienced an unidentified mechanical or operational issue. This malfunction caused the plane to roll toward the starboard side, leading to a crash in the vicinity of the runway. The impact area was noted for being heavily populated with landmines.
Of the four people on board, two fatalities occurred immediately upon impact. A third occupant, the Swiss nurse, succumbed to their injuries shortly after the crash. The remaining survivor, also the nurse, sustained critical injuries and required medical evacuation, first to Gran Canaria and subsequently to Switzerland.
Findings
The investigation indicates that an unspecified problem occurred during the takeoff roll, which triggered the uncontrolled roll to the right and the subsequent impact near the airfield.