Gabon Express Flight 221

Gabon Express Flight 221 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on 8 June 2004. The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 was carrying 26 passengers and 4 crew and was flying from Gabon's capital Libreville to Franceville via Port-Gentil when an engine failed. The crew tried to return to Libreville International Airport; however they overflew it and nosedived into the sea. At least 19 people were killed in the crash. It was the second deadliest plane crash in Gabon. Gabon President Omar Bongo declared three days of national mourning in response to the disaster.

Gabon Express Flight 221

A2-ABA, the aircraft involved in the accident in 1974 while still in service with Air Botswana
Occurrence
Date	8 June 2004 (2004-06-08)
Summary	Hydraulic failure due to engine failure
Site	Gulf of Guinea, near Libreville International Airport
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Hawker Siddeley HS 748
Operator	Gabon Express
Registration	TR-LFW
Flight origin	Libreville International Airport, Libreville, Gabon
Stopover	Port-Gentil International Airport, Port-Gentil, Gabon
Destination	M'Vengue El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba International Airport, Franceville, Gabon
Occupants	30
Passengers	26
Crew	4
Fatalities	19
Injuries	11
Survivors	11

Aircraft and crew

The aircraft involved was a 37-year-old Hawker Siddeley HS 748 registered as TR-LFW. It was powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart engines.^[1] The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 was last produced in 1988. The aircraft was carrying 26 passengers and 4 crew members.^[2]

Accident

On 8 June 2004, the flight took off from Libreville International Airport. A few minutes later, the aircraft's right engine failed. Uncertain on whether the landing gear was extended, the pilot decided to attempt a ditching.^[3] At 09:34,^[4] the aircraft ditched offshore, around 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away from the airport,^[1] a few dozens of meters away from the beach of La Sablière.^[4]

Search and rescue

Immediately after the crash, fire crew and emergency services were deployed. 11 survivors were evacuated from the scene and were taken by helicopters to local hospital in Libreville; none had received serious injuries. Divers were deployed by authorities to rescue people trapped inside the wreckage. Local fishermen, Gabonese firefighters, the French Navy, and the French military also joined the rescue effort.^[2][5][6] As the aircraft did not immediately sink, fishermen were able to rescue multiple passengers.^[7]

Aftermath

The following day, President of Gabon Omar Bongo declared three days of national mourning in honor to the victims of the crash, with the government's office stating that a national funeral would be organised.^[2]