What happened
During a flight originating from Cairo, the crew initiated their descent toward Bunia. As the aircraft progressed through its approach, weather conditions significantly deteriorated, characterized by a low cloud ceiling and poor visibility. While on final approach, the four-engine airplane struck the terrain at Bogamente Peak, approximately 8 kilometers before reaching the runway. The debris was located roughly 100 meters below the summit of the peak. The accident resulted in 35 fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the captain conducted a descent while the cloud base was lower than the minimum altitudes mandated by both the operator and aviation authorities. During the two and a half hours preceding the crash, the ceiling had dropped from 16,000 feet to between 700 and 800 feet. The pilot failed to divert despite the rapidly worsening weather.
Several contributing factors were identified during the inquiry:
- The crew did not recognize that an unusually long duration had passed between completing a procedural turn and passing the locator.
- The pilot continued the approach despite flying below required visibility minima.
- A failure in the VHF radio equipment prevented the airfield operator from notifying the crew that the beacon was non-functional.
- There was a failure by the Stanleyville Protection Office to relay a critical weather update regarding 200-meter stratus clouds at Bunia.
- The lack of controlled airport services at Bunia contributed to the difficulty in managing the approach under such conditions.