What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation departing from Accra and bound for Léopoldville, the flight crew experienced significant mechanical difficulties involving the aircraft's engines. Due to these ongoing technical complications, the decision was made to divert from the original flight path to perform an emergency landing.
As the situation progressed, the captain determined that the safest course of action was to ditch the aircraft in the Congo River. The incident occurred near Mpouya, situated approximately 230 km northeast of Léopoldville. Following the impact with the water, the aircraft submerged and was subsequently lost. Despite the loss of the airframe, all 14 occupants were successfully pulled from the wreckage and rescued.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor leading to the ditching was engine problems encountered during the flight.