Aerolift IL76 at Entebbe on Mar 9th 2009, impacted Lake Victoria after takeoff
Last Update: July 23, 2025 / 14:23:32 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Mar 9, 2009
Classification
Crash
Aircraft Type
Ilyushin Il-76
ICAO Type Designator
IL76
The Republic of Uganda released their final report concluding the probable causes of the crash were:
The investigation was unable to determine conclusively the probable cause primarily because of the absence of substantial aircraft wreckage to examine, the lack of flight recorders to evaluate the performance of the crew and the aircraft, as well as insufficient forensic evidence.
The accident could be explained by one or a combination of a loss of engine power, aircrafi malfLmction of the flight controls and related systems, pilot impairment/incapacitation, spatial disorientation, inattentiveness to altitude, and inadequate handling of the aircraft.
The loss of engine power was possible based on witness accounts, a recent event in which a loss of power occurred and the fact that the engines had exceeded their service life. However, the lack of the engines to examine during the investigation precluded detem1ination of their mechanical condition at the time of the accident.
The crew's ability to conduct flight duties under normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions was not assured because of insufficient records regarding the crew's experience, training, and certification. Also, the possibiliiy of alcohol consumption, fatigue, insufficient sleep and lack of the required minimum crew could have contributed to degraded perfonnance on either one or both ofthe pilots.
The report analysed:
1. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and there was no evidence that weather was a factor.
2. Air traffic control services were normal and not a factor.
3. The runway inspection prior to takeoff did not disclose evidence of foreign objects.
4. Witnesses reported observing a fire on the aircraft shortly after takeoff; however, the investigation lacked the physical evidence to conilrm these reports.
5. The crew and passengers died of crash injuries and there was no evidence of burns on the bodies.
6. Post mortem examination and the inspection of the recovered aircraft debris did not disclose evidence of an in-flight fire.
7. The aircraft wreckage was located within the confines of the accident site which indicates that the aircraft disintegrated on impact.
8. The Search and Rescue team was hampered due to inadequate personnel training and equipment along with the inoperative emergency almm system. Also, the investigation revealed the emergency response office was not manned at the time of the accident.
9. Flight recorders were not recovered and therefore the investigation could not determine the aircraft and crew perfotmance during the accident flight.
10. The aircraft was within maximum takeoff weight limitations at the time of the accident. The aircraft center-of-gravity was not determined.
11. Apart from the flight engineer, the investigation did not determine that the crew were properly trained, experienced, and proficient in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Mar 9, 2009
Classification
Crash
Aircraft Type
Ilyushin Il-76
ICAO Type Designator
IL76
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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