Valan Air Cargo Antonov AN-26 plane crash

The Antonov AN-26 operated by Valan Air Cargo took off from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for a cargo flight to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. 6 passengers and 4 crewmembers were onboard. The plane was on final approach at Abidjan Airport in poor weather when the aircraft came down in the sea about 650 meters / 2130 feet ahead of the runway threshold. 4 occupants were killed, and 6 occupants were taken to hospitals with injuries.

The twin-engine aircraft was chartered by the French Army. On board were six Moldovan crew members and four French army personnel, part of the anti-terrorist operation Barkhane. Weather reports indicate that a thunderstorm was passing the airport at the time of the accident. The aircraft performed its approach for landing in thunderstorms, gusting winds, heavy precipitation and lightning. Both engines were working normally. The aircraft suddenly impacted the shoreline, broke in three upon impact, killing four occupants. The four French army personnel and two crewmembers survived the accident.