UTA Flight 141
UTA Flight 141 was a scheduled international passenger flight operated by Guinean regional airline Union des Transports Africains de Guinée, flying from Conakry to Dubai with stopovers in Benin, Libya and Lebanon. On 25 December 2003, the Boeing 727–223 operating the flight struck a building and crashed into the Bight of Benin while rolling for take off from Cotonou, killing 141 people. The crash of Flight 141 was the deadliest crash in Benin's aviation history.
The aircraft involved when still operated by American Airlines in 1998. | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 December 2003 |
| Summary | Failure to take off due to aircraft overload as a result of poor management |
| Site | Cotonou Airport, Cotonou, Benin 6°20′48.9″N 2°22′16.9″E |
| Total fatalities | 141 |
| Total injuries | 23 |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 727-223 |
| Operator | Union des Transports Africains de Guinée (UTA) |
| ICAO flight No. | GIH141 |
| Call sign | GULF INDIA HOTEL 141 |
| Registration | 3X-GDO |
| Flight origin | Conakry International Airport, Conakry, Guinea |
| 1st stopover | Cotonou Airport, Cotonou, Benin |
| 2nd stopover | Kufra Airport, Kufra, Libya |
| Last stopover | Beirut International Airport, Beirut, Lebanon |
| Destination | Dubai International Airport, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Passengers | 150 |
| Crew | 10 |
| Fatalities | 138 |
| Injuries | 22 |
| Survivors | 22 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground fatalities | 3 |
| Ground injuries | 1 |
The investigation concluded that the crash was primarily caused by overloading. However, it also subsequently revealed massive incompetence within the airline, particularly on its dangerous safety culture. The issue had gone unnoticed following lapses between authorities and further incompetence in management oversight led to the aircraft's overloaded state. Multiple factors, including the short runway at Cotonou and the high demand of passengers for the route, had also contributed to the crash.
In regards to the result of the investigation, the Guinean government was urged to create reforms and regulations on the civil aviation authorities in the country. The BEA, the commission responsible for the investigation, had also urged ICAO to examine provisions related to safety oversight and the FAA and the European EASA were asked to support the creation of an autonomous weight and balance calculation system on board every airliner.