Lockheed C-141 Starlifter crash, Sep 13, 1997 (9 killed)
Lockheed C-141 Starlifter accident on September 13, 1997 near Atlantic Ocean, World with 9 fatalities. Cause: Tu-154M flew at a cruise level that was...
- Date: September 13, 1997
- Aircraft: Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
- Location: Atlantic Ocean, World
- Fatalities: 9
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Tu-154M flew at a cruise level that was not the one filed and was incorrect for its heading, with substantial contributing factors in Luanda ATC coordination and the AFTN message routing, and no TCAS on board.
A US Air Force C-141B Starlifter returning from Windhoek collided in mid-air over the Atlantic off Namibia with a German Air Force Tu-154M flying from Bonn to Cape Town. Both aircraft crashed into the sea. The investigation board blamed the Tu-154M for flying an incorrect cruise level and faulted Luanda ATC and the flight plan message network.