Accident Overview
A humanitarian aircraft operating a multi-stop flight from Kinshasa to Goma crashed into the slope of Mount Kahuzi while approaching Bukavu-Kamembe Airport. The accident occurred approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Bukavu at an altitude of about 10,800 feet. All 17 persons on board, including several emissaries, were killed. The wreckage was discovered the following day in a wooded area.
Flight Details
The aircraft had departed Kinshasa on a humanitarian mission with intermediate stops planned in Mbandaka, Kisangani, and Bukavu. While descending toward Bukavu-Kamembe Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility attributed to adverse weather conditions.
Impact and Investigation
The aircraft struck the slope of Mount Kahuzi during the approach. Official investigation findings indicate the accident was a controlled flight into terrain. The crew initiated the descent prematurely, and the lack of visibility due to weather was identified as a contributing factor.
Aftermath
Search teams located the wreckage one day after the accident. The fatalities included all occupants, among them emissaries, though further details about the individuals have not been disclosed.