What happened
On 13 July 2025, at approximately 14:15 local time, a Cessna 208B, registration P2-AMH, was conducting an IFR charter flight for passengers and freight when it experienced an abnormal runway contact at Balimo Airstrip in the Western Province. The aircraft, operated as a two-way landing and takeoff service, struck the runway with excessive force. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the right main landing gear, the nose landing gear assemblies, and the propeller assembly. Additionally, the aircraft's empennage sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the landing at the 1,390-meter runway. At the time of the occurrence, the aircraft was carrying a single pilot and eight passengers. The investigation examined the structural impact on the airframe, specifically the landing gear and propeller, to determine the nature of the runway contact. The aircraft, a 1999 model, had recorded over 17,457 airframe hours prior to the event.