Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the aircraft departed Tripoli-Intl Airport at 0929 UTC with two flight crew, one cabin crew, and 38 passengers (including three children and one infant). It carried 3,200 lbs of fuel. The planned route was Tripoli – Beniwalid – Tilal direct to Marsa Brega.
Fuel Imbalance and Descent
During the flight, the crew observed a fuel imbalance and performed crossfeeding until fuel balanced at 11:17:12 UTC. The aircraft began descending from FL070 at 11:25:51 UTC, approximately 40 nautical miles from Marsa Brega.
Engine Failures
At 11:36:57 UTC, the left engine flamed out. The captain asked the first officer to confirm the failure at 11:37:27 UTC, which the first officer did at 11:37:28 UTC. The right engine flamed out at 11:37:39 UTC. The captain then informed SOC operations at Marsa Brega of the dual engine failure and decided to ditch at 11:37:57 UTC. He instructed the first officer to attempt engine relight at 11:38:05 UTC. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) activated as the aircraft was in an unsafe situation.
Ditching
At 11:38:34 UTC, the aircraft ditched in the sea at coordinates 30°23.457'N 019°28.953'E. Both pilots and 17 other occupants were rescued, while 22 people, including the cabin crew, were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Passengers and Aircraft Details
Most passengers were employees of the Sirte Oil Company working at the Marsa Brega Oil Complex. On board were 15 Libyans (including both pilots), 13 British, two Canadians, three Indians, three Croatians, three Filipinos, one Pakistani, and one Tunisian (the cabin crew). The aircraft was operated by the Libyan Sirte Oil Company and owned by Avisto, a Swiss operator.
Official Findings
The investigation found that:
- The crew was properly certificated and qualified.
- No factors detracted from their physical ability to operate the aircraft.
- The aircraft was properly certificated; its certificate of airworthiness had no expiry date under Swiss regulations and was considered valid.
- Maintenance certificate and insurance were valid.
- Weight and center of gravity were within limits.
- The aircraft had flown five sectors prior to the crash flight.
- Emergency exits were not used except the cockpit hatch.
- Fuel samples met Jet A1 specification.
- The aircraft was not in landing configuration; landing gear and flaps were up.
- Passengers were not informed about the ditching.
- The tail and nose were destroyed, causing the aircraft to sink quickly.
- The aircraft was equipped with GPWS.
- The maintenance schedule had not been approved by FOCA.
Probable Cause
Melting of ice formed at the engine intakes resulted in water ingestion and both engine flameout. The flight crew failed to operate the engine anti-icing system. The flight crew were busy with a discussion not relevant to their flight duties.