Air France Flight 2005
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1933 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Passenger air transport |
Air France Flight 2005 was a scheduled international passenger service on 12 September 1961, operating from Paris-Orly Airport to Casablanca Airport with an intermediate stop at Rabat-Salé Airport. The aircraft, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, crashed at 21:09 GMT near Douar Doum, located roughly from the threshold of runway 04 and left of the runway's extended centerline, at an elevation of above sea level. All 77 individuals on board, including six crew members, perished. The weather conditions were foggy and unsuitable for landing.
Flight history
The flight took off from Paris (ORY) at 18:26 GMT, carrying passengers and cargo within prescribed limits and sufficient fuel for a four-hour journey. The flight proceeded without incident until the approach phase to Rabat/Salé. At 21:09 GMT, the aircraft impacted terrain short of the runway and was completely destroyed.
Investigation
The inquiry revealed no mechanical defects or errors by the crew. Weather at Rabat/Salé had rapidly worsened, creating adverse conditions for landing. The pilot contacted Air France operations in Casablanca and contemplated diverting directly to Casablanca due to the deteriorating weather.
Throughout the flight, the crew frequently requested weather updates from air traffic control and ultimately decided to attempt landing at Rabat utilizing the non-directional beacon (NDB). Although air traffic control advised that the NDB was not aligned with the runway, this caution went unacknowledged. The investigation concluded that the most likely cause was an "Error in instrument reading."
See also
- Air France Flight 406, another Air France accident in Africa during 1961