What happened
On the morning of the accident, a twin-engine aircraft departed from runway 17 at Goma International Airport, operating its first scheduled service of the day toward Butembo. During the initial climb phase, the crew communicated with air traffic control to request an immediate return to the airport for landing on runway 35. Shortly after this request, the aircraft lost altitude and descended into the Birere district, located south of the airport.
The impact occurred over a residential area, where the plane struck several houses and subsequently caught fire. The accident resulted in 21 fatalities among the aircraft occupants, along with six fatalities among people on the ground. Additionally, one passenger sustained serious injuries during the crash.
Findings
According to reports from the air traffic controller on duty, the aircraft exhibited unusual behavior shortly after becoming airborne, specifically noting that the wings were rocking. The descent and subsequent impact occurred during the early stages of flight following the decision to return to the airport.