Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Tshikapa

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-580
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CEJ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tshikapa - Kananga
MSN:
79
YOM:
1953
Location:
Tshikapa
Kasai-Occidental
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 takeoff from Tshikapa Airport, while in initial climb, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crash landed in a field past the runway end and came to rest. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines during initial climb due to a fuel exhaustion. It was determined that the aircraft had not been refueled prior to departure.

Crash of a Boeing 707-331C in Kananga

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
First International Airlines
Registration:
P4-OOO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ostende – Kinshasa – Kananga
MSN:
19435
YOM:
1967
Location:
Kananga
Kasai-Occidental
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Kananga Airport, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear upon landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Kinshasa: 45 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1969 at 0810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
WIGMO - Western International Ground Maintenance Organization
Registration:
9T-PLJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Kananga – Mbuji-Mayi
MSN:
26710
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kinshasa
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
45
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Kinshasa-N’Djili Airport, the crew reported technical problems with the hydraulic systems and was cleared to return. To reduce weight, the pilot followed a holding pattern over the region when the airplane entered a dive and crashed into the Congo River. All 45 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident was not determined. However, it is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Luluabourg: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
MM52-6011
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lyra 15
MSN:
10869
YOM:
1952
Location:
Kananga
Kasai-Occidental
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed. Three crew members were killed and six others were injured, among them some Pakistan soldiers taking part to a UNO mission. Those killed were:
Cpt Sergio Celli, pilot,
Lt Dario Giorgi, pilot,
Italo Quadri.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during takeoff.

Crash of a Sabca DH.50 in Bukama: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1931
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.50
Operator:
Registration:
OO-AHV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Elisabethville – Bukama – Luluabourg
MSN:
1
YOM:
1929
Location:
Bukama
Haut-Lomami
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Elisabethville on a flight to Luluabourg with an intermediate stop in Bukama, carrying five passengers and two crew members. The crew initiated the takeoff procedure from a water logged runway. After a course of about 900 metres, the airplane overran and crashed against rocks. All five passengers and the flight mechanic escaped uninjured while the pilot Henri Van Reempst was killed after being wedged between his seat and the steering wheel.
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