What happened
On November 25, 2019, a Bombardier DHC-8-311, registration 9J-PZB, operated by Proflight Commuter Services Limited, was conducting a scheduled commercial flight from Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. While enroute, the crew initially requested a deviation to avoid significant weather near the Kurma reporting point.
As the aircraft descended through Flight Level 160 at 190 knots, it entered a cloud layer where visibility was significantly reduced. The aircraft subsequently encountered a severe storm characterized by heavy hail and violent turbulence. During this encounter, the autopilot disengaged, the windshield cracked, and the crew experienced multiple system failures, including loss of electrical power (DC Gen 1), loss of full rudder pressure, and depressurization. Despite the intense impact of hail on the airframe, the aircraft managed to land safely at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. There were no injuries among the 41 passengers and 5 crew members, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the flight path, meteorological data, and the physical condition of the aircraft. Investigators noted that while the crew had successfully avoided weather earlier in the flight, they opted for a visual approach via the 'LW' NDB rather than following the cleared ILS approach to ATULI.
Technical examinations of the wreckage revealed significant structural damage, including a broken right-hand wing root, damaged radome panels, and damage to the winglet tip, horizontal stabilizer, and various lights. The investigation also reviewed the crew's operational pressures, noting that a prior two-hour delay on an earlier flight may have influenced the decision-making process regarding the flight route.