2000 ASA Pesada Antonov An-24 crash

The 2000 ASA Pesada Antonov An-24 crash occurred on 15 November 2000 when an Antonov An-24 registered as D2-FCG operated by Angolan airliner ASA Pesada crashed shortly after taking off from

The crash was the third deadliest plane crash in Angola, the second deadliest plane crash involving an Antonov An-24 and the second plane crash to occur in the country in just less than 3 weeks. On 31 October, another Antonov An-24 carrying 49 people operated by ACA-Ancargo Air crashed on the northern part of the country, killing all 49 people on board with UNITA rebels claimed to have shot down the plane.^[1]

Flight

The aircraft took off from Luanda's

An investigation was opened on the crash. Many eyewitnesses stated that during the crash, the Antonov An-24 was on fire. The black boxes were recovered by investigators. Transport Minister Andre Luis Brandao stated that technical failure was the most likely cause of the crash. According to the findings of a preliminary investigation the accident was caused by engine failure; the report also accused ASA Pesada of negligence for failing to keep accurate records of the amount of fuel and number of passengers on board.[3]

Aftermath

Angolan authorities immediately grounded all Antonov An-24 in the country indefinitely due to the crash. Before the crash, Antonov aircraft had been prohibited to fly in the country as another Antonov had crashed in Angola on 31 October, which killed 49 people on the northern part of the country. Even though it was prohibited by the country, the Antonov were still permitted to fly on the coast. A statement by the National Civil Aviation Authority said none of the planes would now be allowed to fly on civilian services. The Angolan Air Force was exempted from the prohibition, but their planes cannot carry civilians.^[4]

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