Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Jun 21, 2010 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-COQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Lubumbashi
MSN:
49178/1122
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
EO601
Region:
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 De Havilland DHC-8-102 in Moba

Date & Time: Jan 13, 2010
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-EMD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nairobi - Moba
MSN:
110
YOM:
1988
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Nairobi on a humanitarian mission to Moba, carrying 18 passengers and 4 crew members on behalf of the United Nations Organization. After touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway to the left and came to rest in a marsh field. All 22 occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It appears that the pilot-in-command was distracted during the last segment by pedestrians at the runway threshold and the aircraft landed hard.

Crash of a Boeing 727-231F in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Jan 2, 2010
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CAA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
21986/1580
YOM:
1980
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. After touchdown on runway 06, the aircraft passed through standing water when control was lost. It veered off runway to the right, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Goma

Date & Time: Nov 19, 2009 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CAB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Goma
MSN:
49702/1479
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
E93711
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
111
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 36 at Goma Airport, the aircraft failed to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a rocky lava field. At least 20 passengers were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the runway was wet.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Isiro: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 26, 2009 at 1616 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CSA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goma – Isiro
MSN:
50 05
YOM:
1977
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Goma on a cargo flight to Isiro, carrying one loadmaster, three crew members and a load of 7 tons of cigarettes. On approach to Isiro-Matari Airport, the aircraft crashed 3 km short of runway. The loadmaster was seriously injured while three others 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 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 an Antonov AN-32B in Goma

Date & Time: May 26, 2008 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9Q-CMG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goma – Kalima
MSN:
32 01
YOM:
1993
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Goma Airport, en route to Kalima, the crew reported engine problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, control was lost. The aircraft veered off runway to the right and collided with lava blocs. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were injured.

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

Date & Time: Apr 15, 2008 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CHN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Goma – Kisangani
MSN:
47731/860
YOM:
1977
Location:
Region:
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.