What happened
Shortly after departing from Kinshasa-N’Djili Airport, the flight crew notified air traffic control regarding malfunctions within the aircraft's hydraulic systems. Following this report, permission was granted for the plane to perform a return to the airport.
During the period following the initial takeoff, the pilot entered a holding pattern over the surrounding area in an attempt to decrease the aircraft's weight. While maneuvering, the plane transitioned into a sudden dive and impacted the surface of the Congo River. The accident resulted in 45 fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.
Findings
While official investigators did not reach a definitive conclusion regarding the precise cause of the crash, evidence suggests that the aircraft experienced a double engine failure. This loss of power is believed to have been triggered by fuel exhaustion during the flight.