Accident Details
A flight operating on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Government was en route from Kinshasa to Bukavu, with an intermediate stop in Goma. Upon touchdown at Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, the aircraft failed to stop within the available runway distance. It veered left off the runway, descended a 20-meter-high embankment, and came to rest broken in two. No fire occurred.
Casualties
Both pilots, one passenger (identified as the Governor of Katanga, Katumba Mwanke), and two individuals on the ground were killed. All other occupants sustained serious injuries. Fifteen days after the accident, on 27 February 2012, another passenger—the Deputy of Lukunga District, Oscar Gema di Mageko—died from his injuries. Survivors included Finance Minister Matata Ponyo, Governor of Sud-Kivu Marcelin Cishambo, and Ambassador of the President Antoine Ghonda.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the crew was not focused on the landing procedure during the approach, resulting in the aircraft being significantly above the glide path. Consequently, the aircraft touched down approximately 1,200 meters past the runway threshold on a 2,000-meter-long runway. After touchdown, the crew activated reverse thrust on both engines but did not deploy the spoilers. With a remaining landing distance of about 800 meters, the aircraft could not be stopped safely, and the crew failed to execute a go-around.