What happened
While performing the takeoff roll at Kongolo Airport, the aircraft's left main landing gear struck an unknown object on the runway. This impact prevented the crew from successfully retracting the landing gear following liftoff. Due to the gear remaining in the extended position, the flight crew elected to proceed to Goma Airport.
Upon arrival at Goma Airport, the aircraft attempted to land with the gear down. During the landing roll, the left main gear suffered a structural collapse. This failure caused the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the runway, eventually coming to a stop off the paved surface.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
- There were zero fatalities and zero injuries among the nine occupants on board.
- The primary sequence of events began with the collision with an unidentified object during the initial takeoff phase at the departure airport.