FlightFinder
Check my flight
7 fatalities

Aircraft Strikes Ground Short of Runway at M'Banza Kongo Airport (S9-TAN)

M'Banza Congo, AngolaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 27, 1994, a Boeing 727-100 (registration S9-TAN) operated by Transafrik was involved in an aviation accident near M'Banza Congo, Angola during landing or approach. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The M'Banza Kongo runway is relatively short and the crew must complete a low approach to be able to land as early as possible. Here, the crew completed a too low approach, causing the aircraft to struck the ground twice before runway threshold. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 16 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Boeing 727-100
Photo: Pete Macklin / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft struck the ground twice short of the runway at M'Banza Kongo Airport, then hit a bus. Three crew members were injured, and seven bus occupants were killed.

Approach and Impact Sequence During final approach to M'Banza Kongo Airport, the aircraft was too low and struck the ground 3,200 metres short of the runway. It reached a little altitude, then descended again and struck the ground a second time two metres short of the runway. On impact, the left main gear struck a drainage ditch and was torn off. The aircraft slid on the ground and veered to the right when the right wing struck a bus. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries, while seven people in the bus were killed. ## Official Findings The M'Banza Kongo runway is relatively short, requiring the crew to complete a low approach to be able to land as early as possible. In this case, the crew completed a too low approach, causing the aircraft to strike the ground twice before the runway threshold.

Probable cause

The M'Banza Kongo runway is relatively short and the crew must complete a low approach to be able to land as early as possible. Here, the crew completed a too low approach, causing the aircraft to struck the ground twice before runway threshold.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

Same operator

More Boeing 727 safety records →

All Boeing 727-200 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Apr 1994 Boeing 727-100 accident near M'Banza Congo, Angola?

An aircraft struck the ground twice short of the runway at M'Banza Kongo Airport, then hit a bus. Three crew members were injured, and seven bus occupants were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Apr 1994 Boeing 727-100 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Apr 1994 involved a Boeing 727-100, registration S9-TAN, operated by Transafrik, at M'Banza Congo, Angola.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The M'Banza Kongo runway is relatively short and the crew must complete a low approach to be able to land as early as possible. Here, the crew completed a too low approach, causing the aircraft to struck the ground twice before runway threshold.

More accident analyses