Investigation Summary
The accident sequence began at 09:11 local time when Flight 221 departed for Franceville. Shortly into the climb, the crew observed a loss of oil pressure in the number 2 (right) engine and performed a precautionary shutdown. As they maneuvered to return to Libreville International Airport, the crew attempted to deploy the landing gear, but the system failed to respond. The HS 748 relies on engine-driven hydraulic pumps; with the right engine shut down, the left engine's pump was required to power the gear extension. However, the left hydraulic pump was also defective, leaving the crew with no standard means to lower the undercarriage. After overflying the runway, the pilot opted for a water landing in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Although the aircraft ditched only 100 meters from the beach at La Sablière and did not sink immediately, the rescue response was criticized by victims' families as being too slow to save those who remained trapped inside the fuselage.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a total hydraulic failure resulting from the combination of an engine shutdown and a pre-existing defect in the remaining engine's hydraulic pump. Investigators found that maintenance documentation for TR-LFW had not been correctly updated since April 9, 2004, two months prior to the crash. The final findings attributed the disaster to poor aircraft maintenance standards and inadequate government oversight of the airline's technical operations.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Hydraulic System
The HS 748 uses engine-driven pumps to power the landing gear and flaps. The failure of the left pump while the right engine was shut down left the crew unable to extend the gear.
Rolls-Royce Dart 534-2 Engines
The aircraft was powered by two turboprop engines; the right engine was shut down in flight following a loss of oil pressure.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was 37 years old at the time of the accident, having been manufactured in 1967.
- 02Maintenance records for the aircraft were found to be incomplete and had not been properly maintained for two months prior to the crash.
- 03The airline, Gabon Express, ceased all operations on June 15, 2004, one week after the accident.
- 04President Omar Bongo declared three days of national mourning following the crash.
- 05The official final toll was 19 fatalities, though initial reports cited 16 confirmed dead and 3 missing.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Airline Grounding
Gabon Express was forced to cease all flight operations on June 15, 2004, following the accident and subsequent revelations regarding maintenance standards.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Rescue Response Criticism
Reference ↗Families of the victims boycotted the official government mourning ceremony, alleging that a faster and more professional rescue effort could have saved those who drowned while trapped in the floating wreckage.