No fatalities

2018-05-30: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (5X-MRH) — Air Serv International — Kamonia, Democratic Republic of Congo

Kamonia, Democratic Republic of CongoTakeoff (climb)

On May 30, 2018, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (registration 5X-MRH) operated by Air Serv International was involved in an aviation accident near Kamonia, Democratic Republic of Congo during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft failed to gain sufficient speed during the last portion of the runway due to an excessive accumulation of sand on the ground. The pilot-in-command elected to rotate when the aircraft impacted terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781191406Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft operating for UNHAS crashed on takeoff from Kamonia, striking an embankment and flipping over. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Accident Details

A single-engine aircraft departed Kamonia on a special flight to Kamako, operated on behalf of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). The flight carried three passengers and two pilots.

During the takeoff roll from runway 34, the pilot-in-command initiated rotation, but the aircraft encountered difficulties in gaining height. The nose gear and the cargo pod struck an embankment located at the end of the runway. Following the impact, the aircraft flipped over and came to rest inverted.

Occupants and Damage

All five occupants—three passengers and two pilots—escaped the wreckage with minor injuries. The aircraft itself was destroyed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient speed during the latter portion of the runway due to an excessive accumulation of sand on the ground. The pilot-in-command elected to rotate at the moment the aircraft impacted terrain. Two contributing factors were identified: the pilot's ability to make a timely decision, and a lack of coordination between the two CRM (standard call out) pilots during the takeoff maneuvers.