What happened
During the takeoff roll at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, a tire on the left main landing gear burst. Following liftoff, the aircraft entered its initial climb phase, during which the crew had to shut down the left engine. This engine shutdown occurred alongside a failure within the aircraft's hydraulic system.
In response to these complications, the crew declared an emergency, and air traffic control authorized an immediate return to the airport. During the subsequent approach, the crew encountered further difficulties as the hydraulic malfunction prevented the deployment of the nose landing gear.
Upon touching down on runway 01, the aircraft traveled approximately 1,000 meters along the runway before veering toward the right. The aircraft then slid across a grassy area for an additional 500 meters before coming to a complete stop. Although the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, all 110 occupants managed to evacuate the plane without any fatalities or injuries.
Findings
- A tire burst on the left main gear during the takeoff roll.
- A hydraulic system failure prevented the extension of the nose gear and necessitated an engine shutdown.