| Joël Rakotomalala | |
| Honorific Prefix: | His Excellency Colonel |
| Order: | 9th |
| Office: | Prime Minister of Madagascar |
| Term Start: | 11 January 1976 |
| Term End: | 30 July 1976 |
| President: | Didier Ratsiraka |
| Predecessor: | Office Reestablished |
| Successor: | Justin Rakotoniaina |
| Birth Date: | 29 March 1929 |
| Birth Place: | Toliara Province, French Madagascar |
| Death Place: | Antsirabe, Democratic Republic of Madagascar |
| Death Cause: | Helicopter accident |
| Nationality: | Malagasy |
| Party: | AREMA |
Joël Rakotomalala (Toliara Province, 29 March 1929 – Antsirabe, 30 July 1976) was a Malagasy military officer and politician.
Colonel of the Madagascar People's Armed Forces, he was Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar from 13 January 1976 to his death,[1] under the presidency of Admiral Didier Ratsiraka. He was a member of the Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar. He died in the accident of an Aérospatiale Alouette III transport helicopter during a short flight with the chief of staff Alphonse Rakotonirainy on 30 July 1976,[2] the last month of the presence of the French Armed Forces in Madagascar. He was replaced on 12 August as Prime Minister by Justin Rakotoniaina.[1]
The maximum seven-seat transport helicopter, with more than 40 kilograms of luggage, took off from Antananarivo on 30 July 1976 for several successive flights. It crashed at the third stage, around noon.[3] In view of the inflamed political situation, the accident gave rise to suspicions of sabotage.[4] [2]
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