What happened
During a cargo mission operating for the Congolese Armed Forces, a four-engine aircraft departed from Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport destined for Mbandaka. The flight was transporting a payload consisting of ammunition, bombs, and fuel drums. The aircraft was operated by a crew of seven.
Shortly after the departure phase, while the plane was in its climb, the pilot notified air traffic control that the third engine had failed. In response to this emergency, the crew was granted permission to perform an emergency landing back at the departure airport. However, approximately three minutes after the initial takeoff, the aircraft lost control and struck a structure belonging to the Congolese Electricity Company situated in the vicinity of the airport.
Findings
- The crash resulted in seven fatalities, with no survivors reported among the crew.
- The primary factor leading to the loss of control was the failure of engine number three during the climb.