Air France Flight 2005 was a scheduled international flight connecting Paris with various destinations in Africa. On September 12, 1961, the aircraft, a Douglas DC-7, took off from Rabat–Salé Airport, located near the capital of Morocco. Moments after takeoff, the flight ran into serious trouble, reportedly due to a combination of mechanical failures and unfavorable flight conditions. The pilot attempted to retain control but was unable to maintain altitude, resulting in a catastrophic loss of aircraft. The flight was carrying 76 passengers and 1 crew member, with all individuals on board ultimately perishing in the disaster.

The location of the crash significantly contributed to the tragedy’s aftermath. The aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast, which complicated recovery operations. Search teams were dispatched promptly, but they faced challenging conditions at sea. Despite extensive efforts, the wreckage was predominantly submerged, and no survivors were ever found. This incident became one of the notable aviation disasters of its time, drawing attention to the safety protocols in place for commercial airlines.

In the aftermath of the crash, investigations were launched to determine the exact causes leading to the incident. Government and aircraft safety officials sought to assess if there were lapses in maintenance or operational procedures that may have contributed to the failure of the flight. The results of these investigations would go on to influence aviation regulations and safety measures in the following years, aiming to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.