Accident Details
A charter flight operated on behalf of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government was transporting a delegation from the Ministry of Mines from Kinshasa to Kolwezi. The purpose of the trip was to meet with local government officials following a recent incident at the Kalando mine. After departing from Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the flight made a stop in Lubumbashi before continuing to Kolwezi Airport.
Upon landing on runway 29 at Kolwezi Airport, both main landing gear were sheared off. The aircraft then slid for several hundred metres before veering off the left side of the runway. It came to a halt perpendicular to the runway and burst into flames. All 29 occupants—26 passengers and three crew members—escaped without injuries before the aircraft was destroyed by the fire.
Runway Conditions
At the time of the accident, the first 1,000 metres of runway 29 were undergoing resurfacing. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) had been published informing crews that the threshold of runway 29 was displaced by 1,000 metres, leaving a landing distance available of 1,500 metres. The aircraft overflew the portion under construction but touched down before the displaced threshold, resulting in the shearing off of both main landing gear.
Occupant Safety
All 29 persons on board evacuated safely and without injury. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not provide a stated probable cause.