Crash of an Antonov AN-26 near Uvira: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 2014 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
4L-AFS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Entebbe – Bujumbura – Pointe-Noire
MSN:
86 08
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
AGS902
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Entebbe to Pointe-Noire with an intermediate stop in Bujumbura, Burundi, to refuel. After takeoff, while proceeding to the west by night, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kafinda (3,100 metres high), about 25 km south of Uvira. The wreckage was found on hilly and wooded terrain. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76T in Brazzaville: 32 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 2012 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-76300
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pointe-Noire - Brazzaville
MSN:
0834 10300
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville, carrying one passenger, a crew of six and a load consisting of automobiles and various goods. On final approach to runway 05L in poor weather conditions, the crew descended too low on the glide when the aircraft impacted houses and tree tops and eventually crashed in the district of La Poudrière, about 900 metres short of runway. All 7 occupants were killed as well as 25 people on the ground. Fourteen other people were injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, rain falls and limited visibility. MAK stated in February 2013 that they received the FDR from the Congolese authorities but the recorders show mechanical damages as a result of the impact forces.

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Dec 4, 2011 at 1422 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CEM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moanda - Pointe-Noire
MSN:
B-105
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Moanda, Gabon, the crew initiated the approach in poor weather conditions (rain falls, strong crosswinds and turbulences). After touchdown, the twin engine aircraft skidded then veered off runway to the left. While contacting soft ground, the landing gear collapsed and the left engine was partially torn off. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Wind shear conditions are suspected.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pointe-Noire: 23 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 2011 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TN-AGK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Brazzaville - Pointe-Noire
MSN:
40 20 06
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Brazzaville-Maya Maya Airport on a cargo service to Pointe-Noire, carrying five passengers, four crew members and a load of 750 kilos of meat. On final approach to Pointe-Noire Airport runway 17, the aircraft rolled to the right, got inverted and crashed in the residential area of Mvoumvou located 4 kilometers short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed as well as several houses. All nine occupants and 14 people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control on final approach was the consequence of the failure of both right engines n°3 and 4.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Angola: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 2010 at 0020 LT
Operator:
Registration:
D2-FFT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pointe Noire - Luanda
MSN:
BB-607
YOM:
1980
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a charter flight from Pointe Noire to Luanda with one passenger on board, the Mauritanian businessman Rashid Mustapha who was candidate to the Presidential elections in Mauritania in 2007. The pax called his bodyguard just before takeoff, asking them to be ready upon arrival at Luanda-4 de Fevereiro Airport. The twin engine aircraft departed Pointe Noire Airport at 2321LT for a 75-90 minutes flight to Luanda. Just before it started the descent, while cruising over the area of Caxito, some 50 km northeast of Luanda, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens at 0020LT. SAR operations were abandoned after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. It is possible that the aircraft crashed by night in the ocean off the Angolan coast but this was not confirmed as the wreckage was never found. Three years later, in March 2013, unconfirmed reports and rumors in Africa said that the aircraft never crashed anywhere and that Rashid Mustapha was in fact hostage by a terrorist group somewhere in Africa, but this was not confirmed by Officials in Mauritania or Angola. Without any trace of the aircraft, all hypothesis remains open.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK in Brazzaville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 2009 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TN-AIA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pointe-Noire – Brazzaville
MSN:
6 3 446 07
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Pointe-Noire Airport at 0400LT on a cargo flight to Brazzaville, carrying one passenger, five crew members and a load consisting of food, one minibus and three cars. On final approach by night to Brazzaville-Maya Maya Airport, at an altitude of about 2,000 feet, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near Nganga Lingolo, 11 km short of runway 05. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Nov 10, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
UR-PLV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4 3 423 08
YOM:
1964
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Pointe-Noire Airport, while flying 80 km away, the crew contacted ATC and declared an emergency after a fire erupted in the cargo compartment. The crew was able to return and after landing, the aircraft stopped on the main runway, bursting into flames. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the fire started in the cargo bay near a generator.

Ground accident of a Boeing 727-247 in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9L-LEF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
21482/1341
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While parked at Pointe-Noire Airport, the aircraft was struck by an Antonov AN-12 registered EK-11660 and operated by Aéro-Service that just completed a cargo flight from Brazzaville with 6 crew members on board. Following a normal landing, the crew of the AN-12 vacated the runway and while approaching the apron, they lost control of the aircraft that collided with the parked Boeing 727. All six crew members on board the AN-12 were injured, both pilots seriously. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair. The Boeing 727 was empty at the time of the ground collision.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a brakes failure.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2008
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EK-11660
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brazzaville – Pointe-Noire
MSN:
5 3 432 09
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Brazzaville on a cargo flight to Pointe-Noire, carrying six crew members and a load of various goods. Following a normal landing, the crew vacated the runway and while approaching the apron, they lost control of the aircraft that collided with a parked Boeing 727-246 registered 9L-LEF and operated by Canadian Airways Congo. All six crew members on board the AN-12 were injured, both pilots seriously. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair. The Boeing 727 was empty at the time of the ground collision.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a brakes failure.

Crash of a Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV in Pointe-Noire

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1994
Operator:
Registration:
TN-ADP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Gentil - Pointe-Noire
MSN:
AT-025
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a visual approach to Pointe-Noire Airport runway 17, the twin engine airplane belly landed and skidded on runway for about 250 metres before coming to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the approach speed was excessive and that the flaps were deployed in an inappropriate angle. On descent, the crew failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to lower the undercarriage. After the landing gear alarm sounded just prior to the flare, the crew elected to initiate a go-around procedure but it was obviously too late.