Crash of an Ilyushin II-76T in Brazzaville: 32 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 2012 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-76300
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pointe-Noire - Brazzaville
MSN:
0834 10300
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville, carrying one passenger, a crew of six and a load consisting of automobiles and various goods. On final approach to runway 05L in poor weather conditions, the crew descended too low on the glide when the aircraft impacted houses and tree tops and eventually crashed in the district of La Poudrière, about 900 metres short of runway. All 7 occupants were killed as well as 25 people on the ground. Fourteen other people were injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, rain falls and limited visibility. MAK stated in February 2013 that they received the FDR from the Congolese authorities but the recorders show mechanical damages as a result of the impact forces.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pointe-Noire: 23 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 2011 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TN-AGK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Brazzaville - Pointe-Noire
MSN:
40 20 06
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Brazzaville-Maya Maya Airport on a cargo service to Pointe-Noire, carrying five passengers, four crew members and a load of 750 kilos of meat. On final approach to Pointe-Noire Airport runway 17, the aircraft rolled to the right, got inverted and crashed in the residential area of Mvoumvou located 4 kilometers short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed as well as several houses. All nine occupants and 14 people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control on final approach was the consequence of the failure of both right engines n°3 and 4.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK in Brazzaville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2009 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TN-AIA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pointe-Noire – Brazzaville
MSN:
6 3 446 07
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Pointe-Noire Airport at 0400LT on a cargo flight to Brazzaville, carrying one passenger, five crew members and a load consisting of food, one minibus and three cars. On final approach by night to Brazzaville-Maya Maya Airport, at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near Nganga Lingolo, 11 km short of runway 05. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 737-247 in Massamba: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 2009 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TL-ADM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bangui – Brazzaville – Harare
MSN:
22264/753
YOM:
1981
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Bangui on a ferry flight to Harare with an intermediate stop in Brazzaville, carrying five technicians and two pilots. After being parked at Bangui Airport for almost a year without flying, the aircraft should be transferred to Harare for maintenance purposes. While in cruising altitude over DRC, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a dense wooded area near Massamba, Bandundu Province. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 7 occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-11660
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brazzaville – Pointe-Noire
MSN:
5 3 432 09
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Brazzaville on a cargo flight to Pointe-Noire, carrying six crew members and a load of various goods. Following a normal landing, the crew vacated the runway and while approaching the apron, they lost control of the aircraft that collided with a parked Boeing 727-246 registered 9L-LEF and operated by Canadian Airways Congo. All six crew members on board the AN-12 were injured, both pilots seriously. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair. The Boeing 727 was empty at the time of the ground collision.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a brakes failure.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E3 near Brazzaville

Date & Time: Jun 26, 2007
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9Q-CTM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
88 20 31
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered GPS problems and lost his orientation. An emergency landing was attempted when the aircraft crashed about 100 km from Brazzaville. There were no casualties.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Impfondo

Date & Time: Mar 4, 2005
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EY-46399
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Impfondo – Brazzaville
MSN:
0 73 063 03
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, at Vr speed, the pilot-in-command pulled on the control column but the aircraft failed to respond. The captain rejected takeoff but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran an came to rest, bursting into flames. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C-1 in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Apr 29, 2003 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TR-LFQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brazzaville - Kinshasa
MSN:
UC-80
YOM:
1989
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Brazzaville on a charter flight to Kinshasa, carrying 13 passengers (all Air France crew members) and two pilots. On approach to Kinshasa, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and strong crosswinds. After touchdown, the aircraft became unstable, deviated to the left and veered off runway. While contacting soft ground, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest beside the runway. All 15 occupants escaped uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the aircraft became unstable at touchdown due to strong crosswinds. A inappropriate reaction on part of the pilot-in-command, an overcorrection or a wrong configuration may have been a contributing factor.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B in Ndjolé: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ER-AFT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Brazzaville - Douala
MSN:
134 03
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Brazzaville on a delivery flight to Douala. While cruising by night over Gabon, the crew informed ATC about technical problems, declared an emergency and elected to divert to the nearest airport which was Ndjolé. This airfield was not equipped with any runway or approach lights nor any navigation aids. The crew completed several circuits over the city then people parked their cars along the airstrip so the crew was able to land. After four unsuccessful attempts, the crew tried to land but the aircraft flew over the runway without landing, passed over the Ogooué River and eventually crashed in a wooded and swampy area. The crew of two helicopters from the Gabonese Air Force found the wreckage the following day. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. Until few days prior to the accident, the aircraft was operated by Pont Aviation which bankrupted, so it was transferred to another operator in Cameroon.
Probable cause:
It is believe that the crew was forced to make an emergency landing following a general failure of the navigation instruments in flight.

Crash of a Boeing 707-123B in Bangui: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 2002 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9XR-IS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
N'Djamena - Brazzaville
MSN:
19335
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed N'Djamena Airport on a cargo flight to Brazzaville, carrying 21 passengers, nine crew members and a load of onions and garlic. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew reported technical problems with the undercarriage and was cleared to divert to Bangui Airport. The crew completed a holding circuit over Bangui to consume fuel then later started the descent to the airport. On final approach to runway 35, all four engines stopped simultaneously due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a residential area located 4 km short of runway. A crew member and one passenger were injured while 28 other people were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
The crew reported that the undercarriage could not be raised. Loss of control on final approach after all four engines stopped due to a fuel exhaustion.