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.

Gabon President Omar Bongo declared three days of national mourning in response to the disaster.

Flight 221 was a regular domestic passenger service operated by a Gabonese airline, Gabon Express.

A failure of the oil pressure on the No.2 engine occurred, causing the crew to turn back.

11 survivors were evacuated from the scene and were taken by helicopters to local hospital in Libreville; none had received serious injuries.