Country
Democratic Republic of Congo
code

Nord-Kivu

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

Date & Time: Apr 15, 2008 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CHN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Goma – Kisangani
MSN:
47731/860
YOM:
1977
Location:
Goma
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
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.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Goma: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 2007 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Transavia Service
Registration:
4L-SAS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kisangani – Goma – Bukavu
MSN:
3 3 411 08
YOM:
1970
Location:
Goma
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Kisangani on a cargo flight to Bukavu with an intermediate stop in Goma, carrying 3 passengers, 5 crew members and a load consisting of 18 tons of palm oil. After landing, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. While contacting petrified lava, it lost its undercarriage and came to rest, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 8 occupants were killed. It was reported that the certificate of airworthiness expired last March and was not renewed since.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Walikale: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 2007 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Registration:
TN-AHE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Walikale – Goma
MSN:
85 13 35
YOM:
1985
Location:
Walikale
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Walikale to Goma, carrying one passenger, two pilots and a load consisting of two tons of minerals (cassiterite). Three minutes after it departed a 700 metres long dirt road, one of the engine caught fire. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area. All 3 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Walikale: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 2007
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Stellavia
Registration:
5Y-BNN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Goma – Walikale
MSN:
208B-0683
YOM:
1998
Location:
Walikale
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a cargo flight from Goma with a load of food on board. While approaching Walikale, weather conditions deteriorated. The pilot attempted three times to land but eventually initiated a go-around when the disappeared few minutes later. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Walikale: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 2006 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Goma Air (DRC)
Registration:
9Q-CBQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Walikale – Goma
MSN:
85 13 38
YOM:
1985
Location:
Walikale
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Walikale to Goma from an asphalt road connecting Walikale to Mubi and Kisangani as there is no airport in Walikale. Few minutes after takeoff, engines problems forced the crew to return to Walikale but the road was reopened to traffic. On landing, the aircraft collided with several vehicles, veered off road and eventually collided with a house. All four occupant escaped with minor injuries while one people in a car was killed. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B near Sake: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 2006 at 1540 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Mango Airlines
Registration:
9Q-CVT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Goma - Kisangani
MSN:
3 3 415 06
YOM:
1963
Location:
Sake
Nord-Kivu
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:
Few minutes after takeoff from Goma Airport, en route to Kisangani, the crew informed ATC about engine problem and was cleared to return to Goma for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the aircraft lost height, hit trees and crashed in hilly terrain located near Sake, about 20 km northwest of Goma. The aircraft was destroyed and all 6 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an engine failure. According to Antonov Design Bureau, the airworthiness certificate expired on March 30, 2001. Also, the aircraft was operated without valid documentation and the airworthiness certificate was still registered to the old operator with the registration 9U-BHN.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Murandi

Date & Time: Sep 8, 2005 at 0815 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CBO
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Goma – Beni
MSN:
735
YOM:
1980
Location:
Murandi
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Two minutes after takeoff from Goma Airport, the crew reported engine problem and decided to make an emergency landing near Murandi, Nyiragongo territory. The aircraft came to rest in a banana plantation, lost its right wing and was damaged beyond repair. Three passengers were injured while 17 other occupants escaped unhurt.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Goma

Date & Time: Jun 29, 2005 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Mango Airlines
Registration:
9Q-CAW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kongolo – Goma
MSN:
4 73 022 06
YOM:
1974
Location:
Goma
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Kongolo Airport, the left main gear collided with an unidentified object. After takeoff, the crew was unable to raise the landing gear and decided to continue to Goma in such configuration. Upon touchdown at Goma Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway to the left and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left main gear upon landing following a collision with an unidentified foreign object.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan on Mt Nyiragongo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 2004 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-TWH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Goma – Walikale
MSN:
208B-0784
YOM:
1999
Location:
Mt Nyiragongo
Nord-Kivu
Country:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Goma on a cargo flight to Walikale, carrying two passengers, one pilot and a load of ores. About 10 minutes after takeoff, while flying in limited visibility due to poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Nyiragongo located about 15 km north of Goma Airport. The wreckage was found at the altitude of 2,590 metres. The minimum safe altitude was fixed at 3,400 metres.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Beni

Date & Time: Jul 29, 2004
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-28
Operator:
Flying Air Service
Registration:
ES-ELI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1AJ002-06
YOM:
1985
Location:
Beni-Mavivi
Nord-Kivu
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 twin engine aircraft crashed upon landing, lost its right and came to rest. There were apparently no casualties.
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