Accident Sequence
On an uneventful flight from Kinshasa, the crew began their descent to Kisangani-Bangoka Airport in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to heavy rainfall. On final approach, the pilot did not establish visual contact with the runway but continued the descent until the aircraft impacted ground approximately 1,000 metres short of runway 31. Upon impact, the aircraft went out of control, veered to the right, exploded, and disintegrated in a wooded area to the right of the approach path. The wreckage was found about 500 metres southeast of the runway 31 threshold.
Casualties
The accident resulted in the deaths of all five crew members and 72 passengers.
Probable Cause
In a preliminary report, DRC authorities pointed to the following factors:
- The flight crew misjudged weather conditions.
- The airline assigned unqualified/non-licensed crew to operate the Boeing 727-100 (the pilot's licence was not up to date).
- Tower controllers were not licensed (two ATCs did not have a proper licence and were above legal age).
- Tower control staff was insufficient (only six for the complete roster).
- Tower controllers provided erroneous/false weather data to the flying crew.
- The airport authority lacked security plans.
- Phonic records between tower control and crew were erased (destroyed) before the commission of inquiry could begin any investigation.