What happened
A humanitarian flight traveling from Goma to Bunia crashed in the Rwenzori Mountain Range. The aircraft, a single-engine plane, was transporting 300 kilograms of supplies for the World Food Programme. On board were two pilots and one passenger.
During the flight, the crew elected to deviate from the pre-filed flight plan, instead utilizing GPS coordinates to navigate a more direct path. While the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 12,500 feet, it encountered adverse weather conditions. During this period, the plane impacted the slope of Mt Margherita, which stands at an elevation of 5,109 meters.
Search efforts located the wreckage two days after the impact. The accident resulted in three fatalities, with no survivors among the crew or the passenger.
Findings
Investigation into the crash indicates that the crew deviated from the original flight plan to follow a direct GPS route. This change in navigation, combined with the presence of poor weather during the cruise phase, contributed to the aircraft striking the terrain.