13 fatalities

Aircraft Collision with Mt Mbave During Approach to Huambo (D2-FFK)

Huambo-Albano Machado, AngolaFlight

On January 19, 2008, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air (registration D2-FFK) operated by Gira Globo Lda Aeronautica was involved in an aviation accident near Huambo-Albano Machado, Angola in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low during an approach in IMC conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered D2-FFK
Aircraft registered D2-FFK. Photo: Aeroprints.com / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A twin-engine aircraft carrying 13 people struck Mt Mbave while descending to Huambo Airport in poor weather, killing all occupants. The official cause was controlled flight into terrain after descending too low in IMC.

Incident Overview A twin-engine aircraft departed Luanda-4 de Fevereiro Airport shortly before 0700 local time on an executive flight to Huambo. The aircraft was carrying 11 passengers and two pilots, including two Portuguese citizens and the operator's CEO. During descent to Huambo Airport, the aircraft encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to rain and fog. It collided with Mt Mbave, a peak 2,021 metres high, located approximately 40 km north of Huambo Airport. All 13 occupants were killed. ## Probable Cause The official investigation determined the probable cause was controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low during an approach in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).