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Hard Landing and Runway Excursion at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport (9G-REM)

Kinshasa-N'Djili, Democratic Republic of CongoLanding (descent or approach)

On October 16, 1999, a Douglas DC-8 (registration 9G-REM) operated by Continental Cargo Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kinshasa-N'Djili, Democratic Republic of Congo during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered 9G-REM
Aircraft registered 9G-REM. Photo: Bob Adams from George, South Africa / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During a visual approach with a tailwind, an aircraft landed hard left of the centerline, veered off the runway, lost its undercarriage, and caught fire. All eight occupants were rescued, one with minor injuries.

Approach and Landing

The aircraft was conducting an ILS approach to runway 24 at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport when the captain decided to initiate a go-around. While in a circuit in the vicinity of the airport, the pilot informed ATC that he would complete the second approach visually and made a short pattern due to low fuel reserve. On the subsequent approach, with a 6-knot tailwind, the aircraft was unstable and not properly aligned. It landed hard on the left side of the centerline.

Runway Excursion and Fire

After the hard landing, the aircraft went out of control, veered off the runway to the left, and lost its undercarriage. It continued for several hundred meters before coming to rest and bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire.

Occupants and Rescue

All eight occupants were rescued from the wreckage. Among them, one person sustained slight injuries.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a wrong approach configuration.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Oct 1999 Douglas DC-8 accident near Kinshasa-N'Djili, Democratic Republic of Congo?

During a visual approach with a tailwind, an aircraft landed hard left of the centerline, veered off the runway, lost its undercarriage, and caught fire. All eight occupants were rescued, one with minor injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Oct 1999 Douglas DC-8 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Oct 1999 involved a Douglas DC-8, registration 9G-REM, operated by Continental Cargo Airlines, at Kinshasa-N'Djili, Democratic Republic of Congo.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Wrong approach configuration.

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