Crash of an Antonov AN-26B in Lisala

Date & Time: Apr 11, 2023 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
9S-AFP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Lisala
MSN:
106 05
YOM:
1981
Location:
Lisala
Équateur
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Kinshasa on cargo flight to Lisala, carrying one passenger, four crew members and a load consisting of medical supplies against Malaria. On approach to Lisala Airfield, weather conditions were poor with strong winds and heavy rain falls. The airplane landed at a speed of 118 knots some 433 metres past the runway 05 threshold (runway 05 is 2,200 metres long). After touchdown, the crew initiated the braking procedure but the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its nose gear and came to stop in a field 172 metres past the runway end. All five occupants evacuated safely and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that there was a sudden change of weather characteristics with nimbostratus clouds while the airplane was about 34,5 NM from the destination airport. This sudden change in weather components caused an excessive long rollout distance oof the airplane on the runway.
The following findings were identified:
- The operator (Air Kasai) did not provide the necessary documentation because their air operator's certificate and their insurance policy had been suspended.
- The aircraft's airworthiness certificate ending 23DEC2023 was forged, thus the aircraft was not airworthy.
- The 300 hour maintenance had been performed on the aircraft.
- The flight crew certificates were valid and their type ratings were up to date.
- The aircraft had not been maintained according to the manufacturer's maintenance program.
- The aerodrome's meteorologic station was inoperative due to lack of qualified personnel.
- The runway was not equipped with navigation aids.
- ATC services were not provided.
- The runway was wet and had numerous potholes.

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

Date & Time: Dec 20, 2018 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
9S-AGB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Tshikapa – Kinshasa
MSN:
13402
YOM:
1984
Location:
Kinshasa
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Kinshasa after delivering election equipments and materials in Tshikapa on behalf of the Independent National Election Commission. The crew was cleared to descend to 5,000 feet on approach to runway 06 at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport but encountered poor weather conditions with rain falls. In limited visibility, the airplane crashed on a hilly terrain located about 35 km west of the airport. The wreckage was found few hours later and all seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing 737-322 in Lubumbashi

Date & Time: Mar 4, 2018 at 1201 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 737-300
Operator:
Registration:
9S-ASG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Lubumbashi
MSN:
24378/1704
YOM:
1989
Location:
Lubumbashi
Katanga
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18700
Captain / Total hours on type:
1100.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7400
Copilot / Total hours on type:
710
Aircraft flight hours:
61721
Aircraft flight cycles:
36555
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport on a cargo flight to Lubumbashi, carrying five crew members and one passenger. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared to descend and to land at Lubumbashi-Luano Airport. After landing on runway 07, the crew started the braking procedure. At a speed of 80 knots, the aircraft deviated to the left. It veered off runway and while contacting soft ground, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in a grassy area along the left shoulder of the runway after a course of about 200 metres. All six occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- Reduction of simulator training hours for economic reasons for someone who has never performed the duties of controlling an aircraft on the ground.
- The runway shoulders at Lubumbashi (Luano) do not have the same characteristics with regard to strength (see Annex 14 and Document 9157 Part 3).
In conclusion, the actions taken on the rudder before it became ineffective must have been the cause of the aircraft's deviation from the runway centreline and the loss of control of the aircraft (LOC-G).
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B near Kinshasa: 12 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 2017 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
EX-001
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Bukavu
MSN:
5 3 436 06
YOM:
1965
Location:
Kinshasa
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport on a flight to Bukavu, carrying ammunition and two vehicles. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew reported technical problems and was cleared for an immediate return. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a prairie located in Nsele, about 20 km northeast of the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B near Boulankio: 13 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2005 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CFD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boende – Kinshasa
MSN:
129 01
YOM:
1983
Location:
Boulankio
Brazzaville City District
Country:
Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Kinshasa when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Boulankio, about 50 km north of Brazzaville. All 13 occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 near Entebbe: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 2005 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Services Air
Registration:
9Q-CIH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Entebbe - Kinshasa
MSN:
4 3 418 03
YOM:
1964
Location:
Entebbe
Central
Country:
Uganda
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Entebbe Airport at 1148LT on a cargo flight to Kinshasa, carrying six crew members and a load consisting of two cars, t-shirts and 10 tons of beans. Five minutes after takeoff, the crew informed ATC that one of the engine caught fire and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Seven minutes later, out of control, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located near Bukalaza, about 11 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The operator did not have a AOC or any licence to fly,
- The operator did not have any maintenance record or quality control program,
- There was no records regarding crew licensing and/or training,
- Poor flight preparation as the aircraft was not properly loaded,
- The CofG was outside the permissible limit (out of enveloppe).

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Boende: 33 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 2003 at 1516 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
9T-TAD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Boende – Kinshasa
Location:
Boende
Tshuapa
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Boende to Kinshasa, carrying 18 passengers, six crew members and a load of 672 kilos of various goods. During the takeoff roll, the captain decided to abandon the procedure and returned to the parking. A second attempt to takeoff was initiated few minutes later. During the takeoff run, at high speed, a tyre burst. The captain rejected takeoff but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance (the runway is 1,400 metres long). It overran, struck a fence and eventually crashed in a local market. All six crew members and 14 passengers were killed as well as 13 people on the ground. Four passengers and six people on the ground suffered injuries of various degrees.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Beni

Date & Time: Apr 25, 2003
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Beni
Location:
Beni-Mavivi
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew attempted to land by night at Beni Airport which is not equipped for such operations. The aircraft landed too far down the runway, overran and collided with trees. All 10 occupants escaped with various injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Canadair CL-44D4-2 in Mbuji-Mayi

Date & Time: Feb 17, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Canadair CL-44
Operator:
Skymaster Freight Services
Registration:
9Q-CTS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mbuji-Mayi – Kinshasa
MSN:
25
YOM:
1961
Location:
Mbuji-Mayi
Kasai-Oriental
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Mbuji-Mayi Airport, while climbing, the engine n°1 caught fire. The flight engineer elected to extinguish the fire but without success. The aircraft lost height then rolled to the left to an angle of 85°. The crew extended the flaps to 45° to maintain a rate of descent of 700 feet per minute but due to an asymmetric flap condition, the rate of descent increased to 1,500 feet per minute. After the aircraft rolled to the left to an angle of 110°, at a speed of 98 knots, the captain attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a prairie. All 23 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Boeing 707-323C in Lubumbashi

Date & Time: Sep 7, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Registration:
TN-AGO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lubumbashi – Kinshasa
MSN:
19519
YOM:
1967
Location:
Lubumbashi
Katanga
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:
During the takeoff roll at Lubumbashi-Luano Airport, a deflector located on the right main gear failed. The crew continued the takeoff procedure and after liftoff, the right main gear could not be raised in its wheel well. Initially, the crew decided to continue to Kinshasa in a 'gear down' configuration but eventually decided to return to Lubumbashi for a safe landing. After touchdown, the aircraft deviated to the right of the runway centerline then veered off runway and came to rest in a ditch. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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