Aircraft disappearance and wreckage discovery in South Kivu

3 fatalities • Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo • Flight

A cargo flight departing Kasese Airport failed to reach Goma, leading to the discovery of wreckage in a forested area of South Kivu.

What happened

On a scheduled cargo mission, an aircraft departed from Kasese Airport at 15:00 local time, bound for Goma. The flight was transporting one ton of various goods and was operated with a crew of two pilots and one passenger on board. During the transit, the flight encountered worsening meteorological conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and low cloud ceilings.

After the flight failed to arrive at its intended destination, search and rescue operations were launched. Two days after the departure, the wreckage was located in a heavily wooded region within South Kivu, situated approximately 139 km southwest of Goma. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire that completely destroyed the aircraft. There were three fatalities among the occupants.

Findings

  • The flight encountered severe weather, including heavy rain and low visibility.
  • The wreckage was found in a dense forest area.
  • A post-impact fire was responsible for the destruction of the airframe.

Probable cause

The aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions consisting of heavy rain and low clouds during the flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-11-03 Let L-410 accident near Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo?

A cargo flight departing Kasese Airport failed to reach Goma, leading to the discovery of wreckage in a forested area of South Kivu.

Were there any fatalities in the 2022-11-03 Let L-410 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-11-03 involved a Let L-410, registration 9S-GPK, operated by Goma Express, at Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions consisting of heavy rain and low clouds during the flight.

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