Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Kamako: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 2018 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
9S-GFS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kamako – Nsumbula – Diboko – Tshikapa
MSN:
1G201-29
YOM:
1983
Location:
Kamako
Kasai-Occidental
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
4371
Aircraft flight cycles:
2585
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Kamako Airport on a flight to Tshikapa with intermediate stops in Nsumbula and Diboko, carrying five passengers and two pilots. After takeoff, while climbint to a height of about 3,500 feet, the crew spotted birds in the vicinity when the engine lost power. The captain decided to return to Kamako but as he was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a marshy field located 3 km from the airport, bursting into flames. The captain and a passenger survived while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the engine lost power following a collision with a flock of birds, but the extent of damages could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Kamonia

Date & Time: May 30, 2018 at 1518 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Registration:
5X-MRH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Humanitarian
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kamonia – Kamako
MSN:
208B-2386
YOM:
2012
Flight number:
UNO212H
Location:
Kamonia
Kasai-Occidental
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3668
Captain / Total hours on type:
3385.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1373
Copilot / Total hours on type:
970
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Kamonia on a special flight to Kamako on behalf of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), carrying three passengers and two pilots. During the takeoff roll from runway 34, the pilot-in-command started the rotation but the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. The nose gear and the cargo pod impacted an embankment located at the end of the runway and the aircraft flipped over and came to rest upside down. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft failed to gain sufficient speed during the last portion of the runway due to an excessive accumulation of sand on the ground. The pilot-in-command elected to rotate when the aircraft impacted terrain.
The two following factors were identified:
- The pilot's ability to make a timely decision,
- Lack of coordination between the two CRM (standard call out) pilots during takeoff manoeuvres.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Kamako

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2013 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CFT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tshikapa - Kamako
MSN:
1G223-14
YOM:
1987
Location:
Kamako
Kasai-Occidental
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16798
Captain / Total hours on type:
16000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6981
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Tshikapa, the pilot initiated the approach to Kamako Airfield in relative good conditions. On final, the wind component suddenly changed. The aircraft lost height and impacted ground 16 metres short of runway 12. Upon impact, the undercarriage were partially torn off and the aircraft slid before coming to rest 37 metres past the runway threshold. All six occupants, one pilot and five passengers, escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control that occurred on short final was the result of the combination of a human error and weather component. The pilot was surprised by the abrupt change in weather conditions on short final to Kamako runway 12. He elected to initiate a go-around procedure and increased engine power but unfortunately, low level windshear caused the aircraft to lose height and to struck the ground as its speed was insufficient. In consequence, the increase power was too low to allow the pilot to maintain the approach profile. The torsion of the blades confirmed that the engine was at full power for a go-around procedure at impact. The absence of a windsock at Kamako Airfield was considered as a contributing factor as this would help the pilot to recognize the wind component and to decide to land or to go-around in due time.
Final Report:
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