What happened
During a humanitarian mission transporting medical personnel from Kigali, a single-engine airplane was intercepted and shot down by FARDC soldiers while approaching the Minembwe region. Following the impact of gunfire, the aircraft crashed into a forested area and subsequently caught fire. The incident resulted in two injuries among the flight crew, along with two casualties on the ground, specifically a woman and a child.
According to reports from the DRC Government, the aircraft entered Congolese airspace without obtaining the necessary authorization. Furthermore, officials noted that the aircraft's fuselage lacked any visible registration marks.
Findings
While the specific details regarding the crash remain under investigation, the Congolese authorities have highlighted the unauthorized entry into national airspace and the lack of identifiable registration markings as significant factors surrounding the event.