1993 Zambia national football team plane crash

Last updated
Zambian Air Force AF-319
De Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo AN2223057.jpg
A DHC-5D Buffalo similar to the accident aircraft
Accident
Date27 April 1993
SummaryCrashed after in-flight engine fire
Site Atlantic Ocean
off Gabon
0°37′05″N9°18′46″E / 0.618135°N 9.312716°E / 0.618135; 9.312716
Aircraft
Aircraft type de Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo
Operator Zambian Air Force
Registration AF-319
Flight origin Lusaka, Zambia
1st stopover Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
2nd stopover Libreville, Gabon
Last stopover Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Destination Dakar, Senegal
Occupants30
Passengers25
Crew5
Fatalities30
Survivors0

On the evening of 27 April 1993, a DHC-5 Buffalo transport aircraft of the Zambian Air Force crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after taking off from Libreville, Gabon. The flight was carrying most of the Zambia national football team to a 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Senegal in Dakar. All 25 passengers and five crew members were killed. The official investigation concluded that the pilot had shut down the wrong engine following an engine fire. It also found that pilot fatigue and a faulty instrument had contributed to the accident. [1]

Contents

Accident

The flight had been specially arranged by the Zambian Air Force for the football team. The journey was scheduled to make three refuelling stops; the first at Brazzaville, Congo, the second at Libreville, Gabon, and the third at Abidjan, Ivory Coast. [2]

Flight route Gabon Air Disaster.svg
Flight route

At the first stop in Brazzaville engine problems were noted. Despite this, the flight continued and a few minutes after taking off from the second stop in Libreville the left engine caught fire and failed. The pilot, who had also flown the team from a match in Mauritius the previous day, then mistakenly shut down the right engine, causing the plane to lose all power during the climb out of Libreville Airport and fall into the water 500 metres (1,600 ft; 550 yd) offshore. A Gabonese report released in 2003 attributed the pilot's actions to a faulty warning light and fatigue. [2] [1] [3]

Aircraft

The aircraft entered service in 1975. The plane had been out of service for five months from late 1992 until 21 April 1993. Test flights were carried out on 22 and 26 April. Prior to the departure for Senegal, checks revealed defects in the engine: carbon particles in oil filters, disconnected cables and trace of heating. However, the flight went ahead as scheduled. [2]

Passengers

The Chipolopolo were a very promising Zambia national team. At the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, their 4–0 victory over Italy included a hat-trick from Kalusha Bwalya, who won the African Footballer of the Year later that year. They had their eyes on the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations trophy, having finished third in the 1990 edition, and a place at their first World Cup. [4]

All 30 passengers and crew, including 18 players, as well as the national team coach and support staff, died in the accident.

Three players of the "Chipolopolo" were playing with UEFA clubs, and each made separate travel plans from their clubs in Europe to Senegal. Captain Kalusha Bwalya— later national team coach and president of the FAZ — was playing for PSV Eindhoven. Charles Musonda, a player for Anderlecht, was previously injured, staying in Belgium for rehabilitation at the time. [5] Johnson Bwalya played for FC Bulle, and would have traveled from Switzerland. [6] Bennett Mulwanda Simfukwe, who had been seconded to the FAZ by his employers (ZCCM) for 5 years and was supposed to be on this flight, wasn't on it because his employers demanded that he should immediately be removed from the list of those who were officially scheduled to travel to Senegal. Andrew Tembo and Martin Mumba almost boarded the flight, however they were asked not to board at the last minute. [7]

Investigation

A campaign to have the Gabonese crash investigation publicly released continued into the 2000s. [8] [9] In November 2003 a preliminary crash investigation report was released by the Gabonese government, which claimed that the left engine had caught on fire, and in an attempt to control the fire the pilot thought he had shut down that engine, when in reality he shut down the right engine due to a faulty light. Despite this relatives of the victims continue to lobby the Zambian government to produce a report on how the aircraft was allowed to leave Zambia, and why the players were transported on a military plane. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

In May 2002, $4 million was given to families of the deceased players in compensation. [15]

Aftermath

The members of the national team killed in the crash were buried in what became known as "Heroes' Acre", just outside the Independence Stadium in Lusaka. [10]

A new side was quickly assembled, and led by Kalusha Bwalya, faced up to the difficult task of having to complete Zambia's World Cup qualifiers (narrowly missing qualification by finishing one point behind Morocco) and then prepare for the upcoming African Nations Cup which was only months away to be hosted in Tunisia. [3]

The resurrected team defied the odds, and displaying an attacking playing style, reached the 1994 African Cup of Nations final against Nigeria. They took the lead in the first half, but the Super Eagles quickly equalised and followed up with the winner in the second half. In spite of the loss, the Zambian side returned home as national heroes. [16]

In 2012, Zambia won the Africa Cup of Nations in Libreville, only a few hundred metres inland from the crash site; the victory was dedicated to the ones who lost their lives in the tragedy. Zambia beat Côte d'Ivoire 8–7 in a penalty shoot out after the game ended 0–0 after normal and added time. [17] [18] [19]

The accident was the subject of the 2015 Spanish/Zambian documentary film Eighteam , directed by Juan Rodriguez-Briso.

Victims

All thirty people on board died in the crash. 24 bodies were recovered, but only 13 could be identified. [20]

Footballers

Source: [21]

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
1 GK David Chabala (1960-02-02)2 February 1960 (aged 33)1150 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Mufulira Wanderers
1 GK Richard Mwanza (1959-05-05)5 May 1959 (aged 33)80 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Kabwe Warriors
2 DF Whiteson Changwe (1964-10-19)19 October 1964 (aged 28)311 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Kabwe Warriors
2 DF John Soko (1968-05-05)5 May 1968 (aged 24)250 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Nkana
2 DF Samuel Chomba (1964-01-05)5 January 1964 (aged 29)212 Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Dynamos
2 DF Robert Watiyakeni (1969-10-18)18 October 1969 (aged 23)40 Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Dynamos
2 DF Winter Mumba unknown20 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Power Dynamos
2 DF Kenan Simambe (1974-08-23)23 August 1974 (aged 18)11 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Power Dynamos
3 MF Derby Makinka (1965-09-05)5 September 1965 (aged 27)9810 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Ettifaq
3 MF Wisdom Mumba Chansa (1964-04-17)17 April 1964 (aged 29)344 Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Dynamos
3 MF Eston Mulenga (1961-08-07)7 August 1961 (aged 31)341 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Nkana
3 MF Moses Chikwalakwala (1969-08-28)28 August 1969 (aged 23)73 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Nkana
3 MF Numba Mwila (1972-03-18)18 March 1972 (aged 21)41 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Nkana
3 MF Godfrey Kangwa unknown10 Flag of Morocco.svg Olympique de Casablanca
4 FW Timothy Mwitwa (1968-05-21)21 May 1968 (aged 24)162 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Nkana
4 FW Kelvin Mutale (1969-09-20)20 September 1969 (aged 23)1012 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al-Ettifaq
4 FW Patrick Banda (1974-01-28)28 January 1974 (aged 19)63 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Profund Warriors
4 FW Moses Masuwa (1971-07-30)30 July 1971 (aged 21)10 Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Kabwe Warriors

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China Airlines Flight 611</span> 2002 passenger plane disintegration above the Taiwan Strait

China Airlines Flight 611 was a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Gabon</span> Airline of Gabon

Air Gabon was the national, state-owned airline of Gabon, operating out of Libreville International Airport to a variety of destinations across western and southern Africa, as well as to Europe. Founded in 1951, the airline went bankrupt in 2006.

The Zambia national football team represents Zambia in association football and is governed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). During the 1980s, they were known as the KK 11, after founding president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda ("KK") who ruled Zambia from 1964 to 1991. After the country adopted multiparty politics, the side was nicknamed Chipolopolo which means the "Copper Bullets". The team won an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012. This team has also become the most successful team in the COSAFA Cup, surpassing Zimbabwe after winning the 2023 edition.

Kalusha Bwalya is a Zambian former professional footballer. He is Zambia's eighth-most capped player and third on the list of all-time top goalscorers behind Godfrey Chitalu and Alex Chola. Kalusha was named African Footballer of the Year in 1988 by the magazine France Football and was nominated for the 1996 FIFA World Player of the Year where he was voted the 12th-best player in the world, the first to be nominated after playing the entire year for a non-European club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Chabala</span> Zambian footballer (1960-1993)

David Efford Chabala, popularly known as Efford Chabala was Zambia's first choice goalkeeper from 1983 until his death in a plane crash off the Gabonese coast in 1993 and is one of Zambia's most capped players, with 108 full international appearances. Chabala was instrumental in Zambia's first ever East and Central African Championship success when he saved three penalties in Zambia's 3–0 shoot-out victory over Malawi in the 1984 final in Uganda after a goalless draw at full-time. He was named Zambia's Sportsman of the Year in 1985.

Wisdom Mumba Chansa was a Zambian football player who died in the 1993 air crash off the coast of Gabon that killed 18 players of the Zambia national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Africa Cup of Nations</span> International football competition

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, was the 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Chola</span> Zambian footballer and coach (1956-1993)

Alexander "Alex" Chola was a Zambian footballer and coach. Voted Zambian Footballer of the Year in 1976, he is regarded as one of the greatest Zambian players in history and is the country's second highest goal scorer after Godfrey Chitalu. He made a mark at Mufulira Blackpool and Power Dynamos before becoming Dynamos coach and winning the Coach of the Year award in 1992. Chola died in a plane crash off the coast of Gabon on 27 April 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Biggin Hill Cessna Citation crash</span> Private plane crash in England

On 30 March 2008, a Cessna 501 Citation crashed into a house in Farnborough, London (UK), near Biggin Hill Airport, from where the aircraft had taken off a short time before. There were no survivors among the five people on board, which included former racing drivers Richard Lloyd and David Leslie.

Kennedy Nketani is a Zambian football defender. He currently plays for Zanaco F.C. in Zambia; he formerly played for Makumbi Stars and City of Lusaka F.C. He has 30 international Caps for Zambia.

Ashious Jordan Melu, also known as Ashios, was a Zambian footballer and coach. Melu captained the Zambia national team from 1988 to 1992.

Johnson Bwalya is a Zambian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He spent most of his career in Switzerland while representing the Zambia national team internationally. With Zambia, he participated at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkish Airlines Flight 1951</span> 2009 aviation accident

Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 was a passenger flight that crashed during landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands, on 25 February 2009, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers and crew, including all three pilots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death and state funeral of Omar Bongo</span> 2009 death and state funeral of the President of Gabon

The second President of Gabon, Omar Bongo, died in Spain on 8 June 2009, after having suffered from colorectal cancer. A month of mourning and state funeral, spanning 11 to 18 June, followed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solenta Aviation</span> Airline of Africa

Solenta Aviation is an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with its maintenance base at OR Tambo International Airport. The company was founded in 2000 and operates cargo flights on regional routes throughout the Sub-Saharan Africa on behalf of DHL Aviation. Solenta Aviation also operates extensively for the oil and gas industry ("OGP"), offering passenger charter, cargo and aircraft lease services.

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Final was a football match that took place on 12 February 2012 between Zambia and Ivory Coast. The match took place at the Stade d'Angondjé in Libreville, Gabon to determine the winner of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This match was an emotional match for Zambia, as the stadium is located near the spot where most of the Zambian national team died when their aeroplane crashed in 1993. The kickoff time was delayed by 30 minutes to 20:30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Algérie Flight 5017</span> July 2014 plane crash in Mali

Air Algérie Flight 5017 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to Algiers, Algeria, which crashed near Gossi, Mali, on 24 July 2014. The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 twinjet was operated by Swiftair for Air Algérie, disappeared from radar about fifty minutes after take-off. All 110 passengers and 6 crew members on board died.

Eighteam is a 2015 Spanish/Zambian documentary film written and directed by Juan Rodriguez-Briso. It is based on the true story of the Zambia national football team. The team are commonly known as Chipolopolo - the "copper bullets" and the film follows their journey from tragedy to glory.

George Lwandamina is a former Zambian footballer and head coach of Kabwe Warriors.He had a brief playing career with Zambia and won several trophies as a defender with Mufulira Wanderers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabon Express Flight 221</span> 2004 aviation accident

Gabon Express Flight 221 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on 8 June 2004. The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 was carrying 26 passengers and 4 crew and was flying from Gabon's capital Libreville to Franceville via Port-Gentil when an engine failed. The crew tried to return to Libreville International Airport; however they overflew it and nosedived into the sea. At least 19 people were killed in the crash. It was the second deadliest plane crash in Gabon. Gabon President Omar Bongo declared three days of national mourning in response to the disaster.

References

  1. 1 2 "'Faulty plane' killed Zambia team". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 November 2003. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo AF-319 Atlantic Ocean, off Gabon". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  3. 1 2 Montville, Leigh (18 October 1993). "Triumph On Sacred Ground". Sports Illustrated. Time Inc. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2010. Alt URL
  4. ↑ "Zambia's remarkable journey makes them winners regardless". fourfourtwo.com. 12 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "Soccer heroes remembered". Times of Zambia. Ndola, Zambia: Times Printpak Limited. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Turner, Graham (28 April 1993). "La selección de fútbol de Zambia muere en un accidente aéreo". El País (in Spanish). ISSN   1134-6582 . Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "The air crash and the underdogs - a triumph for a lost generation". BBC. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  8. ↑ Gondwe, Kennedy (28 April 2002). "Air crash families threaten legal action". BBC Sport Online. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  9. ↑ "Zambian MPs demand air crash report". BBC. 28 March 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  10. 1 2 "The day a nation cried". BBC Sport Online. British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 April 2003. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  11. ↑ "Gabon crash victims remembered". Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  12. ↑ Duerden, John (23 January 2010). "Football United: Zambia Making New History After Tragic Past". Goal.com. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  13. ↑ Kapembwa, Jeff (30 April 2010). "Zambian plane disaster report still not out 17 years later". Southern Times. Windhoek, Namibia: NAMZIM Newspapers (Pty) Limited. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  14. ↑ Kunda, Robinson (27 April 2010). "Red tape delays Gabon report". Zambia Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 December 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "$4m for Zambian air crash families". BBC Sport Online. British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 May 2002. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  16. ↑ Mungazi, Farayi (24 January 2010). "Zambia's Kalusha Bwalya relives 1994 Nations Cup final". BBC Sport Online. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  17. ↑ Aleksander Losnegård (28 July 2016). "How Zambia restored their fortunes a year after the fatal plane crash of 1993". These Football Times. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Tragedy spurs fairytale story for Zambia". FIFA.com. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  19. ↑ Djazmi, Mani (10 February 2012). "Zambian footballers remember a lost generation of players". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  20. ↑ "Today marks 19th Anniversary of Gabon Air disaster". Lusaka Times . 27 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  21. ↑ Sang, Kiplagat (28 April 2022). "FAZ's Kamanga: Zambia can honour 1993 Gabon plane crash victims at Afcon 2023". goal.com. Retrieved 14 December 2023.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.