The Algerian authorities are trying to find out why a C130 Hercules military transport plane crashed near journey’s end on Tuesday, killing 77 people.

The plane came down in an inaccessible mountain region, a six-kilometre walk from the nearest road.

The plane was just 50 kilometres from landing after a long flight from southern Algeria when it crashed. Weather was poor at the time, with high winds, and investigators currently believe these factors were key. Until the flight recorder is found, they have little to go on.

One media report said the pilot had called for permission for an emergency landing just minutes before the crash.

There was just one survivor who has been seriously injured.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules has an exemplary reliability record.