Air Algerie 73
Accident Case Study

Photo: Caravelle, from Airliner-pics.com.
Accident Report
- Date: 26 July 1969
- Type: Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VIN
- Operator: Air Algerie
- Registration: 7T-VAK
- Fatalities: 3 of 7 crew, 30 of 37 passengers
- Aircraft Fate: Destroyed
- Phase: Approach
- Airports: (Departure) Marseille-Marignane Airport (MRS/LFML), France; (Destination) Biskra Airport (BSK/DAUB), Algeria
Narrative
[Sud Aviation] The aircraft arriving from Marseille crashed near Bisakra. A fire broke out in the electrical compartment during cruise flight and forced the crew to perform an emergency landing at Hassi Messaud but the plane crashed in flames killing 35 of the 37 occupants. The pilot in command was the chief-pilot of Air Algérie.
Probable Cause
Cause of fire not documented.
Regardless of the source of the fire, pilot procedures should prioritize getting the aircraft on the ground first, fighting the fire if possible second. This incident, with several others, led to the publication of Advisory Circular 120-80 and the belief that if you don't get the airplane on the ground in fifteen minutes or less, you may not be able to on your own terms.
See Also:
References
Advisory Circular 120-80, In-flight Fires, 1/8/04, U.S. Department of Transportation