What happened
A chartered flight operating between Arusha and Rubondo via Kigoma ended in a fatal crash at the Rubondo airstrip. The aircraft, a 5H-GTS, initially departed Arusha at 00:40 hours with only the pilot on board. After an uneventful leg to Mwanza, where the plane was refueled for a total endurance of five and a half hours, the flight continued to Rubondo. Upon arrival in Rubondo, four passengers joined the pilot for the final leg of the journey toward Arusha.
At approximately 09:15 hours, the 5H-GTS began its takeoff roll on runway 06. Witnesses at the airstrip observed the aircraft briefly lift into the air before descending into nearby trees. During this sequence, observers reported a distinct change in engine noise followed by a loud explosion. The impact triggered an intense fire in the forest that was too large for immediate rescue attempts. The wreckage of the aircraft type was entirely consumed by the flames. There were five fatalities and no survivors.
Findings
The investigation into the crash focused on the aircraft's performance during the initial climb. It was determined that the aircraft failed to accelerate sufficiently after leaving the runway. Evidence suggests the pilot may have attempted to rotate the plane while it was in a state of partial stall near the end of the runway.