On January 27, 1990, a Nord 262 (registration TN-230) operated by Congolese Air Force - Force Aérienne Congolaise was involved in an aviation accident near Kinkala, Congo in flight. 28 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft entered an uncontrolled dive while encountering heavy rain and significant wind gusts. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft traveling from Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville crashed in a field near Kinkala, resulting in the deaths of all 28 people on board.
What happened
During a flight from Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville, the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and wind gusts reaching 40 knots. While navigating through these conditions, the aircraft lost stability and entered an uncontrolled dive. The descent ended when the plane struck an open field in the Kinkala region, situated approximately 70 km southwest of Brazzaville. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.
There were 28 fatalities recorded in the accident, which included the crew and several civilians. No survivors were reported from the wreckage.
Findings
At the time of the crash, the flight was operating in poor weather conditions involving intense rain and high-speed wind gusts.
Probable cause
The aircraft entered an uncontrolled dive while encountering heavy rain and significant wind gusts.