What happened
During the final approach to M'Banza Kongo Airport, the aircraft descended below the required altitude and made initial contact with the ground approximately 3,200 metres before the runway threshold. Following this first impact, the aircraft briefly regained some altitude before descending once more, striking the earth a second time just two metres from the start of the runway.
As the aircraft continued along the ground, the left main landing gear collided with a drainage ditch, causing the gear to be detached from the airframe. The subsequent ground slide caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the path, at which point the right wing collided with a bus. The accident resulted in seven fatalities among the occupants of the bus, while the three crew members on board the aircraft survived the event with only minor injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at an insufficient altitude during its final approach.
- The collision with a drainage ditch led to the loss of the left main landing gear.