What happened
During a flight test operation at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, an aircraft that had been out of service and parked for ten years experienced a mechanical failure. As the aircraft was completing its landing sequence, the left main landing gear collapsed. The impact caused the aircraft to come to a stop on the airfield.
There were seven people on board the aircraft during the incident. All occupants managed to evacuate the plane safely, and there were zero fatalities or injuries reported following the event. While the crew escaped without harm, the aircraft sustained damage that was determined to be beyond repair.
Findings
- The aircraft had been stationary and stored at the airport for a period of ten years prior to the flight.
- The primary mechanical failure involved the collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing phase.