Lockheed L-1649 Starliner crash, May 10, 1961 (78 killed)
Lockheed L-1649 Starliner accident on May 10, 1961 near Zarzaitine-In Amenas Illizi, Algeria with 78 fatalities. Cause: Most probable cause was...
- Date: May 10, 1961
- Aircraft: Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
- Location: Zarzaitine-In Amenas Illizi, Algeria
- Fatalities: 78
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Most probable cause was sabotage: a bomb with a nitrocellulose explosive detonated on board. Nobody was arrested and the motive remains unclear.
Air France flight 406, a Lockheed L 1649 Starliner, disintegrated in the air while cruising at about 20,500 feet over the Sahara and crashed near Zarzaitine, Algeria, around 1:12 local time on 10 May 1961. All 78 occupants were killed and the crew sent no distress call; sabotage is suspected but the cause is unresolved.