On May 7, 1994, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air (registration 9Q-CTG) operated by Société Nationale d'Electricité (SNEL) was involved in an aviation accident near Kinshasa-N'Djili, Democratic Republic of Congo during landing or approach. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient during the final approach. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
During a night approach to Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the crew did not recognize insufficient altitude. The aircraft struck trees and crashed 3 km from the runway, destroying the aircraft and killing all nine occupants.
Incident Overview
An aircraft conducting a flight from Gbadolite to Kinshasa initiated a night approach to Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport. During the final approach segment, the crew failed to notice that the aircraft's altitude was too low. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and impacted the ground approximately 3 kilometers short of the runway.
Aircraft and Occupants
The aircraft was destroyed in the crash. All nine individuals on board lost their lives. Among the deceased were Mpinga Kasenda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Zaire Government; Patrice Mandoko Bingoto, General Manager of SNEL (Société Nationale d’Électricité); and two Tunisian diplomats.
Circumstances
The approach took place at night. No further details regarding weather conditions, air traffic control communications, or aircraft characteristics have been provided in the investigation source.
Probable cause
The crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient during the final approach.