Crash of a Let L-410UVP near Bukavu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 2011 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9Q-CIF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bukavu – Lusenge
MSN:
83 09 22
YOM:
1983
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Eight minutes after takeoff from Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances on the slope of Mt Biega, some 25 km north of Bukavu. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were completing a cargo flight to Lusenge.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP near Bukavu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 2010
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CUA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bukavu – Shabunda
MSN:
X0101
YOM:
1977
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bukavu to Shabunda, carrying two pilots and a load of 1,500 kilos of various goods. Few minutes after takeoff from Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near the village of Bugulumisa located at the border of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an engine failure.

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C-1 near Bukavu: 17 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 2008 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-OLD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Mbandaka - Kisangani - Bukavu - Goma
MSN:
UC-137
YOM:
1900
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Captain / Total flying hours:
2031
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Kinshasa on a humanitarian flight to Goma with intermediate stops in Mbandaka, Kisangani and Bukavu. While approaching Bukavu-Kamembe Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to bad weather conditions. At an altitude of about 10,800 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kahuzi located some 15 km northwest of Bukavu. The wreckage was found a day later in a wooded area. All 17 occupants were killed, among them emissaries.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew initiated the descent prematurely. The lack of visibility was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Kisangani

Date & Time: Jun 12, 2008 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-CFAI
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kisangani – Bukavu
MSN:
35-365
YOM:
1981
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Kisangani to Bukavu on behalf of the United Nations. During the takeoff roll, the crew decided to reject takeoff for unknown reasons. The aircraft deviated to the right, causing the main gear to be torn off. The aircraft then slid for few dozen metres and came to rest with its right wing severely damaged. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Bukavu

Date & Time: Nov 12, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-COL
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1AJ002-09
YOM:
1986
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the twin engine aircraft landed hard at Bukavu-Kavumu Airport. It went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Bukavu

Date & Time: Sep 15, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9Q-CXL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bukavu - Nzovu
MSN:
1G208-47
YOM:
1984
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, the single engine aircraft lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were rescued, among them two were injured.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Bukavu: 17 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 2006
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-COM
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lugushwa - Bukavu
MSN:
1AJ008-21
YOM:
1990
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
While descending to Bukavu-Kamembe Airport, the crew encountered stormy weather with limited visibility due to rain falls. Too low, the twin engine aircraft impacted trees and crashed on hilly and wooded terrain located about 15 km from Bukavu Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 17 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 near Bukavu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 2005 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kasese – Bukavu
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Kasese on a charter flight to Bukavu on behalf of the company Decilac, carrying one female passenger and two pilots. While cruising in poor weather conditions (heavy rain falls and strong winds), the aircraft crashed in a mountainous area located about 40 km east of Bukavu. The wreckage was found few hours later and the passenger was rescued while both pilots, an Armenian captain and a Congolese copilot, were killed. It was reported that the operator was not officially registered to the DRC Civil Aviation Authority and did not have any audit prior to start its operations.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 near Bukavu: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
3C-LLA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bukavu – Kama – Kampene
MSN:
1AJ005-22
YOM:
1989
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Eight minutes after takeoff from Kama, en route to Kampene, one of the engine failed. The crew decided to divert to Bukavu that was distant of 225 km from Kama. While descending to Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area located about 20 km from the airport. Both pilots and two passengers were killed while seven other occupants were injured, some critically. At the time of the accident, weather conditions in Kama and Bukavu were considered as good. For unknown reasons, the crew decided to divert to Bukavu instead of returning to Kama following an engine failure. It is believed that the second engine failed as well as approaching Bukavu Airport, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash. The aircraft was apparently overloaded and was carrying arms and ammunition.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan near Bukavu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 2000
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-ONT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
208B-0220
YOM:
1990
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park near Bukavu, killing both occupants.