2011 Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130 crash explained

Occurrence Type:Accident
Date:26 July 2011
Summary:Under investigation
Site:Near Guelmim Airport, Guelmim, Morocco
Coordinates:29.05°N -65°W
Aircraft Type:Lockheed C-130H Hercules
Operator:Royal Moroccan Air Force
Tail Number:CNA-OQ
Origin:Dakhla Airport, Dakhla, Morocco
Stopover:Guelmim Airport, Guelmim, Morocco
Destination:Kenitra Air Base, Kenitra, Morocco
Occupants:80
Passengers:71
Crew:9
Fatalities:80
Survivors:0

On 26 July 2011, a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force crashed near Guelmim, Morocco, killing all 80 people on board.[1] The plane was carrying 71 passengers (initially reported as 72), mostly members of the Moroccan Armed Forces, and nine crew. Three occupants were pulled alive from the wreckage but later died of their injuries.[2] [3]

Accident

The aircraft involved, a four-engined Lockheed C-130H Hercules with registration CNA-OQ, was travelling from Dakhla Airport in Morocco to Kenitra Air Base, with a scheduled stopover at Guelmim.[1] [4]

While approaching Guelmim Airport, the Hercules crashed into Sayyert Mountain, approximately 10km (10miles) north-east of Guelmin. At that time, the weather in the area was reported as poor.[3] [5]

It was the deadliest aviation accident of 2011, and Morocco's deadliest military aviation disaster.[6]

King Mohammed VI announced three days of national mourning following the crash.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Morocco military plane crash kills 78. 26 July 2011. BBC News Online. 26 July 2011.
  2. News: Plane crash kills 78 in Morocco. 26 July 2011. CNN. 26 July 2011.
  3. News: 80 dead in Moroccan military plane crash. 27 July 2011. The Daily Telegraph. 26 July 2011.
  4. Web site: ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed C-130H Hercules CNA-OQ Goulimime Airport (GLN) . Aviation Safety Network . 13 May 2019.
  5. News: Scores killed in Moroccan plane crash . 13 May 2019 . . 26 July 2011.
  6. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/morocco-military-plane-crash-kills-80-no-survivors/455486 "Morocco Military Plane Crash Kills 80, No Survivors"