Country
Democratic Republic of Congo
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Crash of a Boeing 727-22 in Kisangani: 77 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 2011 at 1511 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-100
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-COP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Kisangani - Goma
MSN:
18933/185
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
EO952
Location:
Kisangani
Orientale
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
108
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
77
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
52613
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Kinshasa, the crew started the descent to Kisangani-Bangoka Airport in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to heavy rain falls. On final approach, the pilot did not establish any visual contact with the runway but continued until the aircraft impacted ground some 1,000 metres short of runway 31. On impact, the aircraft went out of control, veered to the right, exploded and disintegrated in a wooded area located to the right of the approach path. The wreckage was found about 500 metres southeast from the runway 31 threshold. Five crew and 72 passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
In a preliminary report, DRC authorities pointed out the following factors:
- The flight crew misjudged weather conditions,
- The airline assigned unqualified/non-licensed crew to operate the Boeing 727-100 (the pilot's licence was not up to date),
- Tower controllers were not licensed (two ATC's did not have a proper licence and above legal age)
- Tower control staff was insufficient (six only for the complete roster),
- Tower controllers provided erroneous/false weather data to flying crew,
- The airport authority lacked security plans,
- Phonic records between tower control and crew were erased (destroyed) before the commission of inquiry can start any investigation.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Jun 21, 2010 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
McDonnell Douglas MD-82
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-COQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Lubumbashi
MSN:
49178/1122
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
EO601
Location:
Kinshasa-N'Djili
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
103
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, a tyre burst on the left main gear. After liftoff, while in initial climb, the crew was forced to shut down the left engine while the hydraulic system failed. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared for an immediate return. On approach, he was unable to lower the nose gear due to the malfunction of the hydraulic system. After touchdown on runway 06, the aircraft rolled for a distance of 1,000 metres then veered off runway to the right, slid on a grassy area and came to rest 500 metres further. All 110 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
A tyre burst on the left main gear during the takeoff procedure. Debris damaged hydraulic lines and were ingested in the left engine that should be shut down.

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-51 in Goma: 40 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 2008 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CHN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Goma – Kisangani
MSN:
47731/860
YOM:
1977
Location:
Goma
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
86
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
40
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from runway 18 at Goma Airport, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. The aircraft continued, overran and crashed in the Birere District, about 100 metres past the runway end, bursting into flames. Three passengers were killed as well as 37 people on the ground. All other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It is possible that one of the engine or maybe both suffered a loss of power during takeoff after the aircraft passed through a puddle.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 250 in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Aug 8, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CHA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Brussels
MSN:
193C-1227
YOM:
1982
Location:
Kinshasa-N'Djili
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
188
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
71317
Aircraft flight cycles:
21669
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport on a regular schedule flight to Brussels with 188 passengers and 12 crew members on board. While cruising at an altitude of 25,000 feet over Gabon, the crew contacted ATC and reported the failure of the engine n°3. He was cleared to return to Kinshasa for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown, all tyres burst and the aircraft skidded on the runway before coming to rest. All 200 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 707-366C in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Apr 26, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CKB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Johannesburg - Kinshasa
MSN:
19844
YOM:
1968
Location:
Kinshasa-N'Djili
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 24 at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport in poor weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the right, lost its right main gear and came to rest few dozen metres further. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Weather was poor at the time of the accident with heavy rain falls and crosswinds.
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