Zone
Bandundu

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Kahemba: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1996
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CXK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kahemba - Kikwit
MSN:
74
YOM:
1967
Location:
Kahemba
Bandundu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots and four passengers were killed while 15 other occupants were injured.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Kinshasa: 298 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1996 at 1243 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-32
Operator:
African Air
Registration:
RA-26222
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Kahemba
MSN:
2301
YOM:
1989
Location:
Kinshasa-Ndolo
Kinshasa City Province
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
298
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Kinshasa to Kahemba, carrying two passengers, four crew members and a load of food and basic necessities. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 204 km/h, the pilot-in-command pulled up the control column to start the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. The crew decided to abort the take off procedure but this decision was taken too late. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (the runway is 1,700 metres long), the aircraft overran, rolled for about 240 metres and came to rest in the district of Simbazikita, bursting into flames. A crew member was killed while five other occupants were injured. On ground, at least 297 people were killed while 253 others were injured, some seriously.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was unable to take off because its total weight at the time of the accident was well above the MTOW. Due to lack of evidences, investigations were unable to determine the exact value of the excess mass, probably between 2 and 7 tons. Nevertheless, the decision of the crew to abort the takeoff procedure was taken too late and the runway length was insufficient. It was also reported that the aircraft was operated by African Air and leased from Moscow Airways. The flight was operated illegally on behalf of Scibe-Airlift which was not concerned about such operation. The certificate of airworthiness expired last December and the aircraft was not authorized to fly.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1 in Kahemba

Date & Time: May 1, 1954
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
OO-CFD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
04083
YOM:
1947
Location:
Kahemba
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 approach to Kahemba was completed in heavy rain falls when the wipers failed. The airplane went out of control and crashed few km from the airfield. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of the wipers during heavy rain falls.
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