Overview
A flight from Luanda to Lubango ended in tragedy when the aircraft struck a mountainside during its descent to Lubango Airport. The journey had been uneventful until the crew began the approach in deteriorating conditions. Heavy rain and a low ceiling obscured the terrain, leading to a collision with a slope located 16 kilometers northwest of the threshold of runway 10. Of the 17 occupants on board, 16 were killed and one passenger survived.
Accident Details
The aircraft was nearing Lubango after an uneventful flight from Luanda. As it descended, the crew encountered poor weather characterized by heavy rainfall and a low cloud ceiling. The aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain approximately 16 km from the approach end of runway 10. The impact was catastrophic, destroying the aircraft. Emergency responders located a single survivor among the wreckage. The surviving passenger sustained injuries but was rescued. The accident claimed the lives of all other occupants.
Investigation
The official investigation into the accident determined the probable cause. According to the findings, the accident resulted from a possible loss of control after the pilot-in-command suffered spatial disorientation while descending in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The investigation noted that adverse weather conditions likely contributed to the disorientation, leading to the loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.