No fatalities

Emergency landing following engine failure (9Q-CAG)

Zaire, Democratic Republic of CongoFlight

On January 7, 1987, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 9Q-CAG) operated by Kinair Cargo was involved in an aviation accident near Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine failed for undetermined reasons during flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-13Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft was forced to perform an emergency landing after experiencing a loss of power in one of its engines.

What happened

During the flight, the crew encountered a mechanical issue involving an engine failure. This malfunction necessitated an immediate attempt at an emergency landing. During the descent and subsequent landing sequence, the aircraft struck the ground, resulting in a crash landing.

The impact caused significant damage to the airframe, rendering the aircraft a total loss. Despite the severity of the impact, all three crew members were able to evacuate the wreckage without injury.

Findings

Investigations into the incident focused on the mechanical state of the propulsion system at the time of the failure. The primary factor leading to the crash landing was an engine failure occurring during the en route phase of flight.

Probable cause

The engine failed for undetermined reasons during flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Jan 1987 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident near Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo?

An aircraft was forced to perform an emergency landing after experiencing a loss of power in one of its engines.

Were there any fatalities in the 7 Jan 1987 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Jan 1987 involved a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, registration 9Q-CAG, operated by Kinair Cargo, at Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failed for undetermined reasons during flight.