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6 fatalities

Cargo Aircraft Crashes Near Entebbe After Engine Fire, Killing All Six Occupants (9Q-CIH)

Entebbe, UgandaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 8, 2005, an Antonov AN-12 (registration 9Q-CIH) operated by Services Air was involved in an aviation accident near Entebbe, Uganda during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The operator did not have an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or any licence to fly. The operator did not have any maintenance record or quality control program. There were no records regarding crew licensing and/or training. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo aircraft departing Entebbe for Kinshasa crashed after reporting an engine fire, killing all six occupants. Investigation revealed the operator lacked licensing and the aircraft was improperly loaded.

Accident Details

A cargo aircraft, operating a flight from Entebbe Airport to Kinshasa, crashed near Bukalaza approximately 11 km from the airport. The aircraft departed at 1148 local time carrying six crew members and a load consisting of two cars, t-shirts, and 10 tons of beans. Five minutes after takeoff, the crew reported an engine fire to air traffic control and was cleared for an emergency landing. Seven minutes later, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all six occupants were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation identified the following findings: the operator did not have an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or any licence to fly; the operator did not have any maintenance record or quality control program; there were no records regarding crew licensing and/or training; poor flight preparation as the aircraft was not properly loaded; and the center of gravity was outside the permissible limit (out of envelope).

Probable cause

The operator did not have an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or any licence to fly. The operator did not have any maintenance record or quality control program. There were no records regarding crew licensing and/or training. Poor flight preparation as the aircraft was not properly loaded. The center of gravity was outside the permissible limit (out of envelope).
Structural failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Jan 2005 Antonov AN-12 accident near Entebbe, Uganda?

A cargo aircraft departing Entebbe for Kinshasa crashed after reporting an engine fire, killing all six occupants. Investigation revealed the operator lacked licensing and the aircraft was improperly loaded.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jan 2005 Antonov AN-12 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Jan 2005 involved an Antonov AN-12, registration 9Q-CIH, operated by Services Air, at Entebbe, Uganda.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The operator did not have an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or any licence to fly. The operator did not have any maintenance record or quality control program. There were no records regarding crew licensing and/or training. Poor flight preparation as the aircraft was not properly loaded. The center of gravity was…

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