Zone
Équateur

Ground explosion of an Antonov AN-12 in Mbandaka: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Mbandaka
Équateur
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a military transport, carrying six crew members and a load of bombs and ammunitions. While taxiing at Mbandaka Airport, the aircraft exploded for unknown reasons and was totally destroyed. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188A Electra in Kinshasa: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-188 Electra
Operator:
Blue Airlines
Registration:
9Q-CDI
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Mbandaka
MSN:
1037
YOM:
1959
Location:
Kinshasa-N'Djili
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 four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Kinshasa to Mbandaka on behalf of the Congolese Armed Forces, carrying seven crew members and a load of fuel drums, ammunitions and bombs. After takeoff from Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, while climbing, the captain informed ATC about the failure of the engine n°3 and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. The aircraft went out of control and crashed three minutes after takeoff on a building owned by the Congolese Electricity Company and located near the airport. All seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine n°3 after takeoff for unknown reasons. It was reported that the copilot failed to show up so the captain was the only pilot and he asked the flight engineer to take the copilot seat and a ground mechanic to perform the flight engineer duties.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Kwamouth

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
MM52-6037
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Léopoldville – Coquilhatville
MSN:
11076
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
Lyra 22
Location:
Kwamouth
Bandundu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew encountered an unexpected situation en route and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in Kwamouth and was damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries. Cpt Farinelli.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove in Yailunga: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1953 at 1504 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
OO-CBM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Léopoldville – Coquihatville – Stanleyville – Bunia
MSN:
04014
YOM:
1947
Location:
Yailunga
Maniema
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
1902
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Léopoldville on a flight to Bunia with intermediate stops in Coquihatville and Stanleyville. On board were two crew members who were returning to their base at Bunia-Irumu Airfield. The airplane departed Coquihatville Airport at 1023LT on the second leg of the day. While cruising in limited visibility, the pilot got lost and flew to the southeast instead to the east. Short of fuel, he attempted an emergency landing near the village of Yailunga when the airplane impacted two tall trees before crashing in a wooded area. There was no fire. Both crew members were killed. The wreckage was found 280 km south of Stanleyville.
Crew:
H. Croquet, pilot,
Mr. Bouin, mechanic.
Probable cause:
The aircraft had no technical issues, and the flight took place in conditions of fairly limited visibility due to dry fog. The deviation from the intended course can only be explained by a navigation error, and the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing because the aircraft was running low on fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Bloch M.B.120 near Coquilhatville

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Bloch MB.120
Operator:
Registration:
F-ANNX
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Algiers – Antananarivo
MSN:
05
YOM:
1934
Location:
Mbandaka
Équateur
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:
While approaching Coquilhatville (now Mbandaka) from the north, the three engine aircraft named 'Sirius' crashed in unknown circumstances on an island located on the River Congo, some 40 km north of Coquilhatville. All three crew members were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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