On June 24, 1980, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration TJ-AFO) operated by Air Affaires Afrique was involved in an aviation accident near Douala, Cameroon during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the failure of one engine during the takeoff rotation phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine airplane crashed near the runway shortly after liftoff, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board.
What happened
During the initial climb phase of flight, a twin engine airplane experienced a critical loss of lift and stalled. The accident occurred immediately following rotation, as the aircraft departed from the runway environment.
Following the stall, the plane impacted the ground in the vicinity of the runway. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were no survivors among the occupants; the crash resulted in three fatalities.
Findings
Official investigations into the accident suggest that the primary factor leading to the loss of control was an engine failure occurring just after the aircraft reached rotation speed.
Probable cause
The accident was caused by the failure of one engine during the takeoff rotation phase.