Air Algérie flight missing

Calina

Apparently Air Algérie have announced that contact has been lost with one of their planes fifty minutes after take off from Burkina Faso. Some report here: http://www.europe1.fr/International/Un-avion-d-Air-Algerie-disparait-des-ecrans-radars-2189247/ in French.

I don't have a confirmed flight number atm or a destination but their time table suggests there's only one flight out of there at 00.50, destination, Alger, due 5.40am, flight number AH5017. I don't see much FR24 coverage in the area. Am wondering if it left with a substantial delay.

Calina

Via news in Algeria, the plane is an Airbus A320

http://www.algerie1.com/actualite/urgent-un-airbus-affrete-par-air-algerie-disparait-des-radars/

Link in French: summary: apparently went missing at 6 this morning (Algerian time I guess) 112 passengers of which 4 were Algerian as was cabin manager.

Jack1985

Spanish airline Swiftair was operating the flight with an MD-83, 110 pax + 6 crew onboard.

intellectual dosser

It has been a really terrible week for aviation, here's hoping they could turn up ok, but its always a grim outlook from the start.

vickers209

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0724/632783-air-algerie/

arubex

Swiftair statement

http://www.swiftair.com/corporativa/NOTA.pdf

Swiftair informa que un avión MD83 de su compañía operado
para Air Algerie despegó a las 0117 Z de Burkina Faso con
destino a Argel y con hora prevista de llegada a las 0510 Z no
ha llegado a destino. No se tiene hasta este momento contacto
con la aeronave.

vicwatson

Indo....

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/algeria-lost-contact-with-air-algerie-aircraft-aps-state-news-agency-30456511.html

Boulevardier

Jack are you sure about the MD83? Press pictures all show an Airbus.

Lapin

What an awful week for aviation.

A320 according to reports.

Jack1985

Swiftair were operating the flight with an MD-83 (EC-LTV).

Simon Gruber Says

Yeah there's seems to be confusion over the type. Some report A320 and some are saying it's an MD

Lapin

arubex wrote: »

Swiftair statement

Swiftair informa que un avión MD83 de su compañía operado
para Air Algerie despegó a las 0117 Z de Burkina Faso con
destino a Argel y con hora prevista de llegada a las 0510 Z no
ha llegado a destino. No se tiene hasta este momento contacto
con la aeronave.

http://www.swiftair.com/corporativa/NOTA.pdf

Translation -

Swiftair MD83 aircraft reports that this company operated
for Air Algerie took off at 0117 Burkina Faso
Algiers destination and estimated time of arrival at 0510.
Destination has not been reached. There is no contact so far
with the aircraft.

ben.schlomo

Boulevardier wrote: »

Jack are you sure about the MD83? Press pictures all show an Airbus.

http://af.reuters.com/article/algeriaNews/idAFS8N0MV01Z20140724

billie1b

Boulevardier wrote: »

Jack are you sure about the MD83? Press pictures all show an Airbus.

My French is a little rusty but the french language news report is stating its a Boeing 717/MD83, the a/c in question was asked to divert due to bad weather and to avoid a collision with another aircraft, since changing course ATC have not heard from them

jjbrien

Ok is it an Airbus, DC9 or MD83? The Rte article starts off by saying its a DC9 then switches to saying its an A320. The the other artilce says its an MD83

billie1b

jjbrien wrote: »

Ok is it an Airbus, DC9 or MD83? The Rte article starts off by saying its a DC9 then switches to saying its an A320. The the other artilce says its an MD83

Swift Air has confirmed it is one of their aircrafts on lease to the company, they do not have any Airbus in their fleet,

The Swiftair fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of 1 October 2013)

6 ATR 42
1 ATR 42-300
4 ATR 42-300F
1 ATR 42-300QC
14 ATR 72
4 ATR 72-200 (1 operate by Air Europa)
6 ATR 72-200F
4 ATR 72-500 (2 operate for Antrak Air)
6 Boeing 737-300F (4 aircraft are operated for European Air Transport and one aircraft is operated for TNT Airways)
10 Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia (Cargo division)
4 McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (2 aircraft are operated for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service)

Calina

Given the statement from the operator which Jack linked above, my guess is it's an MD83. Per Wiki, Air Algerie themselves don't have an A320 in the fleet although they've a couple of A330s.

knucklehead6

AV Herald has it as an MD too

http://avherald.com/h?article=477c75de&opt=0

Lapin

Calina wrote: »

Via news in Algeria, the plane is an Airbus A320

http://www.algerie1.com/actualite/urgent-un-airbus-affrete-par-air-algerie-disparait-des-radars/

Link in French: summary: apparently went missing at 6 this morning (Algerian time I guess) 112 passengers of which 4 were Algerian as was cabin manager.

Translation

URGENT: McDonnell Douglas MD-80 chartered by Air Algeria disappears radar

By Omar Khidr | 24.07.2014 | 10:25

Algeria1: aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD-80 type chartered by Air Algeria and ensuring Algiers-binding Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) disappeared from radar since 6am after takeoff from the Burkinabe capital has learned from sources close Algeria1 the Ministry of Transport.

The plane carrying 112 passengers including 4 Algerians. The IFA is also an Algerian. A crisis was immediately installed in Algiers in the presence of the Minister of Transport. Many citizens of French nationality would be on that plane that carries the majority of Burkina Faso.

The aircraft belongs to the Portuguese company HIFLY.

10:32: Air Algeria has confirmed the information Algeria1 stating that "air navigation services have lost touch with an Air Algeria ensuring liaison Thursday Ouagadougou - Algiers, 50 minutes after takeoff."

"Air Algeria informs that the air navigation services had their last contact with flight 5017 AH ensuring Ouagadougou Algiers bond date 24 July to 1 hour 55 minutes GMT, 50 minutes after takeoff," said a statement from the company.

Decay of the device

Moreover, according to several reports, many passengers especially those who have taken this plane in the direction Algeria-France and back had complained of the age of the unit and onboard amenities. If these facts are true, it is necessary that the services concerned shall open an investigation to determine the circumstances of the charter.

Calina

Lapin wrote: »

Translation

URGENT: McDonnell Douglas MD-80 chartered by Air Algeria disappears radar

By Omar Khidr | 24.07.2014 | 10:25

Algeria1: aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD-80 type chartered by Air Algeria and ensuring Algiers-binding Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) disappeared from radar since 6am after takeoff from the Burkinabe capital has learned from sources close Algeria1 the Ministry of Transport.

The plane carrying 112 passengers including 4 Algerians. The IFA is also an Algerian. A crisis was immediately installed in Algiers in the presence of the Minister of Transport. Many citizens of French nationality would be on that plane that carries the majority of Burkina Faso.

The aircraft belongs to the Portuguese company HIFLY.

10:32: Air Algeria has confirmed the information Algeria1 stating that "air navigation services have lost touch with an Air Algeria ensuring liaison Thursday Ouagadougou - Algiers, 50 minutes after takeoff."

"Air Algeria informs that the air navigation services had their last contact with flight 5017 AH ensuring Ouagadougou Algiers bond date 24 July to 1 hour 55 minutes GMT, 50 minutes after takeoff," said a statement from the company.

Decay of the device

Moreover, according to several reports, many passengers especially those who have taken this plane in the direction Algeria-France and back had complained of the age of the unit and onboard amenities. If these facts are true, it is necessary that the services concerned shall open an investigation to determine the circumstances of the charter.

off topic, but did this run through an automated translation program?

PeteF

Some reports say it was over another warzone. Hopefully it's not a copy of MH17.

Lapin

Calina wrote: »

off topic, but did this run through an automated translation program?

Yes. GT.

I just threw it up here for context.

Calina

Lapin wrote: »

Yes. GT.

I just threw it up here for context.

[they're improving]

On a separate note, the amount of information in that link has increased since I put it up earlier this morning.

Jack1985

Good bit of info here from Avherald;

A Swiftair McDonnell Douglas MD-83 on behalf of Air Algerie, registration EC-LTV performing flight AH-5017 from Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to Algiers (Algeria) with 110 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute over Mali near Gao about 50 minutes into the flight, when contact with the aircraft was lost. There are no reports that the aircraft landed at an airport, that the aircraft could have reached. In the meantime the aircraft would have run out of fuel.

Swiftair and Air Algerie confirmed they have lost contact to the aircraft at about 03:00L/02:00Z.

There is conflicting information regarding the number of passengers on board, 102 or 110 passengers.

Swiftair reports, their MD-83 departed Burkina Faso at 01:17Z with 110 passengers and 6 crew and was estimated to arrive in Algiers at 05:10Z but has not reached the destination. The airline is working to find out what happened.

Air Algerie report the last contact with flight AH-5017 took place at 01:55Z, about 50 minutes after takeoff. The airline have invoked their emergency plans.

http://avherald.com/h?article=477c75de&opt=0

2thousand14

https://twitter.com/cctvnews/status/492260191212011520

Jack1985

''MD83 Airbus''... well I never. Terrible in week in every respect for aviation, RIP.

Penny Tration

Jesus, so horrific. What an awful week. RIP

Jack1985

Updated figures, 112 passengers + 4 crew (116) - Aircraft was flying through violent thunderstorms when it deviated to avoid and contact was lost. Air Algerie has just confirmed the aircraft crashed in Niger.

Boulevardier

Lets hope it was not terrorist action.

Calina

Jack1985 wrote: »

Updated figures, 112 passengers + 4 crew (116) - Aircraft was flying through violent thunderstorms when it deviated to avoid and contact was lost. Air Algerie has just confirmed the aircraft crashed in Niger.

Niger?

That's way to the east of a straightish line from Burkina Faso to Algiers.

2thousand14

Boulevardier wrote: »

Lets hope it was not terrorist action.

Came down during a violent thunderstorm (unconfirmed)

Jack1985

Niger?

Wasn't the flight airborne from Burkina Faso, so if it deviated North East it would end up in Niger. I don't exactly know though, as always conflicting and confusing immediate reports.

dealhunter1985

Are planes not designed to withstand thunderstorms?

Jack1985

dealhunter1985 wrote: »

Are planes not designed to withstand thunderstorms?

To an extent, but any pilot would seek to avoid them just as you would driving a car on ice. Nobody's going to fly right through a storm.

Last known and confirmed position of the aircraft was West of Gao Airport in Mali, how it ended up directly East in Niger is a bit puzzling at this stage.

dealhunter1985

Jack1985 wrote: »

To an extent, but any pilot would seek to avoid them just as you would driving a car on ice. Nobody's going to fly right through a storm.

Last known and confirmed position of the aircraft was West of Gao Airport in Mali, how it ended up directly East in Niger is a bit puzzling at this stage.

I get ya ..thanks

Calina

Jack1985 wrote: »

Last known and confirmed position of the aircraft was West of Gao Airport in Mali, how it ended up directly East in Niger is a bit puzzling at this stage.

Wikipedia suggests Niamey in Niger - would be interesting to know if that's true because that's not just east, it's also south, like the plane flew around,

fr336

Is Niger Nigeria? Sorry for my stupidity.. I've got someone staying in Nigeria hoping it didn't crash on them (unlikely as that is)

Jack1985

Calina wrote: »

Wikipedia suggests Niamey in Niger - would be interesting to know if that's true because that's not just east, it's also south, like the plane flew around,

Yep your right, just seen now they seem to be saying it was last recorded at Niamey, point to add also that apparently on the route the aircraft contacted ATC;

''The plane was not far from the Algerian frontier when the crew was asked to make a detour because of poor visibility and to prevent the risk of collision with another aircraft on the Algiers-Bamako route''

Is Niger Nigeria?

No its not.

fr336

Jack1985 wrote: »

No its not.

Many thanks Jack

Jack1985

fr336 wrote: »

Many thanks Jack

Nigeria is directly South of Niger though!

Calina

fr336 wrote: »

Is Niger Nigeria? Sorry for my stupidity.. I've got someone staying in Nigeria hoping it didn't crash on them (unlikely as that is)

No.

Looking at the map again, the Niger river passes close to where the plane was last reported near Gao. Maybe some confusion there.

Calina

Jack1985 wrote: »

Yep your right, just seen now they seem to be saying it was last recorded at Niamey, point to add also that apparently on the route the aircraft contacted ATC;

''The plane was not far from the Algerian frontier when the crew was asked to make a detour because of poor visibility and to prevent the risk of collision with another aircraft on the Algiers-Bamako route''



No its not.

I'd take the view that Niamey doesn't count as "near the Algerian border either".

TimeToShine

Is it a foregone conclusion that there were no survivors?

Calina

I think official status is "missing".

Jack1985

Calina wrote: »

I'd take the view that Niamey doesn't count as "near the Algerian border either".

They were referring to the aircraft's last known confirmed location West of Gao. Niamey remains to be confirmed as the definite last location.

Is it a foregone conclusion that there were no survivors?

Not until everyone is accounted for. Has been confirmed that AH5017 has crashed in Niger.

folbotcar

Far too soon of course. But thunderstorms in equatorial Africa are extremely powerful and reach considerably higher than elsewhere. They are well capable of bringing down an airliner.

But of course this is well known so pilots give them a wide berth usually.

the_monkey

folbotcar wrote: »

Far too soon of course. But thunderstorms in equatorial Africa are extremely powerful and reach considerably higher than elsewhere. They are well capable of bringing down an airliner.

But of course this is well known so pilots give them a wide berth usually.

You sure about that ?
Planes are always flying through storms - usually it's just turbulence that is encountered

Jack1985

the_monkey wrote: »

You sure about that ?
Planes are always flying through storms - usually it's just turbulence that is encountered

Moderate and/or greater turbulence, hail, structural ice, heavy rain reducing visibility, lightning and wind shear

roundymac

Flew with them on a Heineken cup charter out of Cork a few years back. Seemed to be a very well organised, cc were excellent, plane seemed to be in very well maintained.

Lapin

Reuters:

French transport minister saying it is likely that there were a large number of French citizens on board.

http://af.reuters.com/article/algeriaNews/idAFL6N0PZ4BA20140724

PARIS, July 24 (Reuters) - There were likely many French passengers on the Air Algerie flight which disappeared en route from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Algiers, France's transport minister said.

"There were likely French people on board, and if there were French people on board there were certainly many of them," Frederic Cuvillier told reporters.

Authorities have lost contact with an Air Algerie flight en route from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Algiers with 110 passengers on board, Algeria's APS state news agency and a Spanish airline company said on Thursday. (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Writing by Ingrid Melander; editing by Mark John)

ProfessorPlum

the_monkey wrote: »

You sure about that ?
Planes are always flying through storms - usually it's just turbulence that is encountered

Not the kind of storms that folbotcar is talking about.
And no, it's not just turbulence. Icing (rem AF), sheer causing large airspeed variations leading to overspeed / stall, attitude upset etc
I wonder did the aircraft in question even have a decent weather radar? Might have made life very difficult for them if they didn't.