1958 Central African Airways plane crash

The 1958 Central African Airways plane crash occurred when a Vickers Viscount airliner crashed during a scheduled passenger flight from Wadi Halfa, Sudan, to Benghazi, Libya, on 9 August 1958 about nine kilometers southeast of Benina International Airport in Libya.[1] A total of forty-seven passengers and seven crew members were on board of whom only eighteen survived, making it the deadliest ever plane crash in Libya at the time of the accident.[2]

1958 Central African Airways plane crash
A Vickers Viscount type plane
Accident
Date9 August 1958
SummaryPilot error
Sitenear Benina International Airport
Aircraft
Aircraft typeVickers Viscount 745D
Aircraft nameMpika
OperatorCentral African Airways
RegistrationVP-YNE
Flight originSalisbury Airport
1st stopoverNdola Airport
2nd stopoverEntebbe International Airport
3rd stopoverKhartoum International Airport
4th stopoverWadi Halfa Airport
Last stopoverBenina International Airport
DestinationHeathrow Airport
Passengers47
Crew7
Fatalities36
InjuriesUnknown
Survivors18

Cause of the crash

According to an International Civil Aviation Organization accident digest, the plane crashed while making an approach to runway 33R, and while flying in clouds the pilot descended below a safe altitude, causing the aircraft to crash into high ground. While the reason for the quick descent remains unknown, it is believed the pilot may have misinterpreted the reading of his altimeter as a result of fatigue and possible indisposition.[2]

See also

References
  1. "34 believed lost in airplane crash" (scan). The Gettysburg Times. Vol. 56 (№ 189). AP. 9 August 1958. p. 3. Retrieved 17 August 2015 – via news.google.com.
  2. Accident description via Aviation Safety Network (Original source "ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 59-AN/54 (171–178)). Retrieved 17 August 2015

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