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Frequently Asked Questions

Most common questions about Air Algérie AH5017 accident

116 victims - July 24, 2014

Detailed answers to the most frequently asked questions about flight AH5017 accident, based on official and documented sources.

General Questions

Flight AH5017 was a regular Air Algérie flight from Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to Algiers (Algeria). It crashed on July 24, 2014 in central Mali, with 110 passengers and 6 crew members on board. There were no survivors.

The plane crashed in central Mali. The wreckage was located near Gossi, Mali, through the cooperation of the French army (Mirage 2000D, drones), the Burkinabè army and MINUSMA. The first elements were discovered by shepherds, then confirmed by the armed forces.

There were 110 passengers and 6 crew members on board, a total of 116 people. There were no survivors.

No, all 116 people on board (passengers and crew) perished in the accident.

The Aircraft and Operator

The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, chartered by Air Algérie from the Spanish airline Swiftair.

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, had been examined shortly before the flight and was deemed in good condition by the competent authorities. However, previous technical defects in the engine management system had been reported and repaired.

The Victims

The victims were from 15 countries, including France (54), Burkina Faso (28), Spain (6, crew), Algeria (6), Lebanon (6), Canada (5), Germany (4), Luxembourg (2), and other nationalities.

Yes, an entire French family spanning several generations was wiped out in this crash, as well as 5 members of another family (the parents and their three sons).

Investigation and Causes

The official investigation concluded that the main cause was the failure by the crew to activate the engine anti-icing system, leading to the obstruction of pressure sensors by ice crystals. This caused a loss of engine power, an aerodynamic stall during cruise flight and the crew's inability to recover the situation.

The crew did not detect the icing risk, probably due to the difficulty of perceiving the presence of ice crystals at night and a high workload related to storm avoidance and communications with air traffic control.

No evidence was found to support the theory of a terrorist act or a missile. The investigation ruled out these hypotheses in favor of a technical and human cause.

The investigation was conducted by the Malian commission with the support of the French BEA, the Spanish CIAIAC, the American NTSB and other international experts. The black boxes were analyzed in France. The final report was published in April 2016.

Over 20 recommendations were issued, including on crew training, modification of anti-icing procedures, improvement of simulators and modification of autopilot logic on MD-80 aircraft.

Legal Proceedings and Compensation

Swiftair’s criminal trial for involuntary manslaughter was held from March 9 to 26, 2026 at the Paris Criminal Court. On September 28, 2026, the court convicted Swiftair and imposed the maximum fine of €225,000. First-instance conviction and €225,000 fine on September 28, 2026; appeal announced October 2 according to AH5017-Ensemble, as reported by the press.

Families are entitled to compensation under international conventions. It is recommended to be assisted by a specialized lawyer to prepare the file and avoid signing disadvantageous agreements with insurers. The legal action deadline is 2 years from the accident.

France has jurisdiction because 51 of the 116 victims were French nationals. Swiftair challenged this jurisdiction 5 times, notably invoking the ne bis in idem principle. All attempts were rejected, the last by the CJEU on April 3, 2025 (Case C-701/23).

The Paris Criminal Court fined Swiftair €225,000 on September 28, 2026. This was the maximum fine available against the company in these involuntary manslaughter proceedings. First-instance conviction and €225,000 fine on September 28, 2026; appeal announced October 2 according to AH5017-Ensemble, as reported by the press.

The final report of the safety investigation conducted by the Malian authorities with technical assistance from the BEA was published in April 2016. A safety investigation serves prevention and does not determine liability. The separate criminal proceedings resulted in Swiftair’s conviction on September 28, 2026. First-instance conviction and €225,000 fine on September 28, 2026; appeal announced October 2 according to AH5017-Ensemble, as reported by the press.

On October 2, 2026, AH5017-Ensemble announced that Swiftair was appealing its conviction, according to reports in La Nouvelle République and Le Dauphiné Libéré. ICI also reported the news on October 3. The September 28, 2026 conviction and €225,000 fine are the first-instance decision. These sources give no appeal hearing date.

Commemorations and Support

Governments and airlines have set up psychological support and administrative assistance units. Victims' families associations exist in France, Burkina Faso and Lebanon.

Yes, memorial steles have been erected in Ouagadougou, in Paris (Bercy Park) and annual ceremonies are organized to honor the memory of the 116 victims.

The BEA reports, the Malian commission reports and judicial documents are accessible online, notably on the BEA website and on institutional sites related to civil aviation.

This site is dedicated to the memory of the 116 victims of flight AH5017. May their memory live on in our hearts.

May their memory live on in our hearts.

Sources

All answers above are derived from official reports, international organizations, recognized media and reliable institutional sources.

La Nouvelle République : Crash Air Algérie : Swiftair fait appel de sa condamnation pour homicide involontaire

Le Dauphiné Libéré : Crash du vol AH 5017 : la compagnie Swiftair fait appel de sa condamnation

ICI : Mort de deux Rouennais dans le crash d’Air Algérie en 2014 : la compagnie Swiftair fait appel de sa condamnation

Le Progrès : Vol Ouagadougou-Alger : condamnée, en première instance, la compagnie Swiftair fait appel

Wikipédia - Vol Air Algérie 5017

Rapport final BEA

Jeune Afrique - Questions sur le crash

Guide indemnisation familles

BFM TV - Procès reporté

RFI - Décision CJUE 2025

Reuters - Condamnation de Swiftair en 2026

Learn more

Security Context

Geopolitical situation in Mali in 2014

Aviation Events 2014

Overview of accidents in 2014

Note : This FAQ only presents verified and documented information. For specific questions regarding legal proceedings or compensation, it is recommended to consult a specialized lawyer.

Last updated: October 6, 2026

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