Accident Sequence
While taxiing in reverse at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the flight crew engaged the thrust reversers. They did not deploy the flaps before commencing the takeoff. As the aircraft accelerated on the runway, the captain initiated rotation, causing the nose wheel to lift. The aircraft did not achieve lift-off, yet the crew chose to continue the takeoff rather than abort. Consequently, the aircraft rose to an extreme nose-high attitude and entered a supercritical angle of attack. It traveled approximately 3,800 meters, departed the runway, continued for another 800 meters, and then contacted uneven ground. The right wing detached upon impact, and the aircraft crashed and burst into flames. All ten individuals on board lost their lives. The flight was destined for Athens, transporting engine components and spare parts.
Investigation
The inquiry identified the probable cause as the crew's failure to follow standard flight preparation procedures and their omission of flap extension before takeoff. Several contributing elements were noted: inadequate flight preparation, ineffective crew coordination, the crew's confusion regarding aircraft configuration, the pilot-in-command's decision not to reject the takeoff, fatigue experienced by the crew, and the absence of a warning system for incorrect flap settings.