Royal Air Maroc Flight 630
Deliberate Plane Crash Investigation
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Douar Izounine, Morocco
TIME PERIOD
August 21, 1994
VICTIMS
44 confirmed
Royal Air Maroc Flight 630, an ATR 42-312, crashed on 21 August 1994, approximately ten minutes after takeoff from Agadir–Al Massira Airport in Morocco, resulting in the deaths of all 44 individuals on board, including 40 passengers and 4 crew members. The flight was en route to Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca when it entered a steep dive and crashed into the Atlas Mountains, about 32 kilometers north of Agadir. The investigation concluded that the crash was a deliberate act of pilot suicide by Captain Younes Khayati, who intentionally disconnected the autopilot and caused the aircraft to dive. Currently, the case remains closed, with no further legal actions pending, and it stands as a significant incident in aviation history due to its tragic nature and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The crash of Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 is believed to have been a deliberate act of suicide by the pilot, Captain Younes Khayati. Some theories speculate that personal issues or mental health struggles may have contributed to his decision to crash the aircraft. Additionally, there are discussions regarding the adequacy of mental health evaluations for pilots in the aviation industry.
The Tragic Descent of Royal Air Maroc Flight 630
A Routine Flight Turns Catastrophic
On August 21, 1994, Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 embarked on what should have been a short, routine journey. The ATR 42-312 aircraft, registered as CN-CDT, took off from Agadir–Al Massira Airport in Morocco, destined for Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca. However, just ten minutes into the flight, a shocking tragedy unfolded. The aircraft, instead of soaring safely towards its destination, plunged into the Atlas Mountains, obliterating all hope and claiming the lives of all 44 occupants on board. This incident marked the deadliest crash involving an ATR 42 aircraft up to that time.
The Aircraft and Crew
The ill-fated aircraft, an ATR 42-312, was relatively young, having first taken to the skies on January 20, 1989. Royal Air Maroc added it to their fleet on March 24 of the same year. The plane was driven by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 turboprop engines, a reliable choice for short-haul flights.
Commanding the flight was Captain Younes Khayati, a 32-year-old pilot with a commendable 4,500 flight hours under his belt. He was accompanied by First Officer Sofia Figuigui, together forming a team responsible for the lives of 40 passengers from various nationalities: 24 Moroccans, 8 Italians, 5 French, 4 Dutch, 2 Kuwaitis, and 1 American.
The Sudden Plunge
The flight commenced smoothly, but the tranquility was brutally disrupted as the aircraft reached an altitude of 16,000 feet, approximately 32 kilometers north of Agadir. Without warning, the plane entered an alarming steep dive, crashing into the rugged terrain of Douar Izounine in the Atlas Mountains. Among the passengers was a Kuwaiti prince, related to then Kuwait's Minister of Defense, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, whose presence underscored the international impact of the tragedy.
Investigation and Controversy
An investigation ensued, led by a commission determined to uncover the truth behind the catastrophic crash. The findings were as unsettling as the crash itself: the tragedy was a result of deliberate actions by Captain Khayati. Flight recorder data revealed that the captain disconnected the aircraft's autopilot, intentionally steering the plane into a fatal descent. As the aircraft plummeted, First Officer Figuigui recognized the peril and attempted to send distress signals, a desperate effort that was tragically too late.
However, the conclusion of pilot suicide did not go unchallenged. The Moroccan pilots union contested the findings, asserting that Captain Khayati was mentally sound and had exhibited no signs of distress. They argued that the captain had reported a "technical problem" prior to departure, although this claim found no support in the investigation's evidence.
The Aftermath
The crash of Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 left an indelible mark on aviation history, becoming the deadliest incident involving an ATR 42. It also contributed to a broader discourse on aviation safety and pilot mental health, echoing in later investigations of similar tragedies.
Sources
- "Pilot's Death Wish Doomed Moroccan Plane; Romantic Problems Cited", AP NEWS, Rabat, Morocco.
- "Kuwaiti Prince dies in crash", The Daily Telegraph, Associated Press, 23 August 1994.
- "Crash that killed 44 was pilot suicide", Altus Times, Associated Press, 25 August 1994.
- Sinha, Shreeya. "A History of Crashes Caused by Pilots' Intentional Acts", The New York Times, 26 March 2015.
- "Air crash 'was pilot suicide'", The Independent, 25 August 1994.
- Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident ATR 42-312 CN-CDT Tizounine", Aviation Safety Network.
- "Prove suicide accusation, union tells crash probers", The Deseret News, Associated Press, 27 August 1994.
For more details and ongoing discussions, visit the Wikipedia page.
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Flight Crash
Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 crashes shortly after takeoff, killing all 44 on board.
Investigation Begins
Initial investigation launched to determine the cause of the crash.
Pilot Suicide Determined
Investigators conclude that the crash was a result of pilot suicide by Captain Younes Khayati.
Union Disputes Findings
Moroccan pilots union disputes the suicide conclusion, claiming Captain Khayati reported technical issues.
Final Report Released
The final investigation report confirms pilot suicide as the cause of the crash.
Royal Air Maroc Flight 630, an ATR 42-312, crashed on 21 August 1994, approximately ten minutes after takeoff from Agadir–Al Massira Airport in Morocco, resulting in the deaths of all 44 individuals on board, including 40 passengers and 4 crew members. The flight was en route to Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca when it entered a steep dive and crashed into the Atlas Mountains, about 32 kilometers north of Agadir. The investigation concluded that the crash was a deliberate act of pilot suicide by Captain Younes Khayati, who intentionally disconnected the autopilot and caused the aircraft to dive. Currently, the case remains closed, with no further legal actions pending, and it stands as a significant incident in aviation history due to its tragic nature and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The crash of Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 is believed to have been a deliberate act of suicide by the pilot, Captain Younes Khayati. Some theories speculate that personal issues or mental health struggles may have contributed to his decision to crash the aircraft. Additionally, there are discussions regarding the adequacy of mental health evaluations for pilots in the aviation industry.
The Tragic Descent of Royal Air Maroc Flight 630
A Routine Flight Turns Catastrophic
On August 21, 1994, Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 embarked on what should have been a short, routine journey. The ATR 42-312 aircraft, registered as CN-CDT, took off from Agadir–Al Massira Airport in Morocco, destined for Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca. However, just ten minutes into the flight, a shocking tragedy unfolded. The aircraft, instead of soaring safely towards its destination, plunged into the Atlas Mountains, obliterating all hope and claiming the lives of all 44 occupants on board. This incident marked the deadliest crash involving an ATR 42 aircraft up to that time.
The Aircraft and Crew
The ill-fated aircraft, an ATR 42-312, was relatively young, having first taken to the skies on January 20, 1989. Royal Air Maroc added it to their fleet on March 24 of the same year. The plane was driven by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 turboprop engines, a reliable choice for short-haul flights.
Commanding the flight was Captain Younes Khayati, a 32-year-old pilot with a commendable 4,500 flight hours under his belt. He was accompanied by First Officer Sofia Figuigui, together forming a team responsible for the lives of 40 passengers from various nationalities: 24 Moroccans, 8 Italians, 5 French, 4 Dutch, 2 Kuwaitis, and 1 American.
The Sudden Plunge
The flight commenced smoothly, but the tranquility was brutally disrupted as the aircraft reached an altitude of 16,000 feet, approximately 32 kilometers north of Agadir. Without warning, the plane entered an alarming steep dive, crashing into the rugged terrain of Douar Izounine in the Atlas Mountains. Among the passengers was a Kuwaiti prince, related to then Kuwait's Minister of Defense, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, whose presence underscored the international impact of the tragedy.
Investigation and Controversy
An investigation ensued, led by a commission determined to uncover the truth behind the catastrophic crash. The findings were as unsettling as the crash itself: the tragedy was a result of deliberate actions by Captain Khayati. Flight recorder data revealed that the captain disconnected the aircraft's autopilot, intentionally steering the plane into a fatal descent. As the aircraft plummeted, First Officer Figuigui recognized the peril and attempted to send distress signals, a desperate effort that was tragically too late.
However, the conclusion of pilot suicide did not go unchallenged. The Moroccan pilots union contested the findings, asserting that Captain Khayati was mentally sound and had exhibited no signs of distress. They argued that the captain had reported a "technical problem" prior to departure, although this claim found no support in the investigation's evidence.
The Aftermath
The crash of Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 left an indelible mark on aviation history, becoming the deadliest incident involving an ATR 42. It also contributed to a broader discourse on aviation safety and pilot mental health, echoing in later investigations of similar tragedies.
Sources
- "Pilot's Death Wish Doomed Moroccan Plane; Romantic Problems Cited", AP NEWS, Rabat, Morocco.
- "Kuwaiti Prince dies in crash", The Daily Telegraph, Associated Press, 23 August 1994.
- "Crash that killed 44 was pilot suicide", Altus Times, Associated Press, 25 August 1994.
- Sinha, Shreeya. "A History of Crashes Caused by Pilots' Intentional Acts", The New York Times, 26 March 2015.
- "Air crash 'was pilot suicide'", The Independent, 25 August 1994.
- Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident ATR 42-312 CN-CDT Tizounine", Aviation Safety Network.
- "Prove suicide accusation, union tells crash probers", The Deseret News, Associated Press, 27 August 1994.
For more details and ongoing discussions, visit the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Flight Crash
Royal Air Maroc Flight 630 crashes shortly after takeoff, killing all 44 on board.
Investigation Begins
Initial investigation launched to determine the cause of the crash.
Pilot Suicide Determined
Investigators conclude that the crash was a result of pilot suicide by Captain Younes Khayati.
Union Disputes Findings
Moroccan pilots union disputes the suicide conclusion, claiming Captain Khayati reported technical issues.
Final Report Released
The final investigation report confirms pilot suicide as the cause of the crash.