1 fatality

Night Approach Accident at Nouadhibou Airport (YR-TPH)

Nouadhibou, MauritaniaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 7, 1980, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration YR-TPH) operated by TAROM - Transporturile Aeriene Române was involved in an aviation accident near Nouadhibou, Mauritania during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain (water) after the crew continued the approach after passing the decision height in marginal and limited visibility. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a night approach to Nouadhibou Airport in limited visibility, a commercial aircraft crashed into the sea after the crew continued past decision height. One passenger died and 18 were injured; the aircraft was destroyed.

Accident

On a night approach to Nouadhibou Airport, the flight crew encountered limited visibility. When the aircraft reached the decision height of 300 feet on final approach, a missed approach procedure was initiated after the captain believed he had visual contact with the runway. He subsequently decided to continue the approach. The aircraft then contacted the water and crashed into the sea less than one kilometer short of the runway threshold. One passenger was killed and 18 others were injured. The airplane was destroyed.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the probable cause was controlled flight into terrain (water) after the crew continued the approach after passing the decision height in marginal and limited visibility.