Cargo Aircraft Crash at Shabunda Airport (9Q-COT)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A twin-engine aircraft departed Bukavu-Kavumu Airport at 1341 local time for a scheduled 40-minute cargo flight to Shabunda. The aircraft was carrying two pilots and a cargo load of 1,500 kilograms of various goods. ## Approach and Crash Sequence During the final approach to Shabunda Airport, the aircraft was at an altitude of 300 feet when the right engine lost power. The crew attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft subsequently stalled and crashed into palm trees located 3.7 kilometers short of the runway. ## Damage and Injuries The impact forces destroyed the aircraft. Both pilots sustained serious injuries. ## Official Findings The official investigation identified the probable cause as the loss of right engine power during final approach, which led to a speed reduction and an aircraft stall. Investigators were unable to determine the exact cause of the engine power loss because the aircraft was completely destroyed. The investigation also noted that the stall occurred at an insufficient height, making a stall recovery impossible for the crew.