Remembering Algerian Air Force Crash

Four years ago today (11th April 2018) an Ilyushin Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Algerian Air Force travelling from the Boufarik Air Base (DAAK) Algeria to Tindouf Airport (TIN/DAOF) Algeria crashed shortly after take-off near Blida Algiers. All 257 people on board were killed, making the accident the deadliest air crash on Algerian soil.

At 07:50am local time (06:50 UTC), the aircraft crashed just outside the perimeter of Boufarik Airport, Boufarik. Witnesses reported that the wing of the aircraft had caught fire prior to the crash. The flight had a final destination of Tindouf Airport, Tindouf, with a stopover in Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport, Béchar. All 10 crew and 247 passengers on board were killed. Among the passengers were 176 members of the Algerian People's National Army. Many of these soldiers and officers were traveling with family members.

Thirty Saharawi students and other civilians from the refugee camps in Tindouf were among the dead according to officials of the Saharawi Republic. They had been visiting Algiers for various medical and bureaucratic reasons. Saharawis from the refugee camps are regularly provided with free flights in Algerian military transport aircraft. Initial reports claimed that a senior member of the National Liberation Front, the governing party of the National Assembly in Algeria, said that 26 Polisario Front members were among the casualties. The Moroccan media in particular unanimously claimed that several Polisario Front members were among the dead; however, Algerian and Saharawi officials have since maintained that there were only 30 Saharawi civilian casualties.

Aircraft Information

Operator:Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza'eriya

Aircraft: Ilyushin Il-76TD

Registration: 7T-WIV

Serial Number: 1043419649

First Flew: October 1994