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7 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crash on Mount Sabyinyo (9Q-CCC)

Mt Sabyinyo, Democratic Republic of CongoFlight

On July 28, 1973, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration 9Q-CCC) operated by Compagnie Cotonnière et Industrielle was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Sabyinyo, Democratic Republic of Congo in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area on the slope of Mount Sabyinyo, 50 km northeast of Goma. All seven occupants, including two children, were killed.

Incident Overview and Location Details On an unspecified date, a twin-engine aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions at an altitude of 7,000 feet when it encountered terrain. The aircraft struck trees and subsequently crashed in a wooded area on the slope of Mount Sabyinyo, a peak with an elevation of 3,669 meters. The crash site was located approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Goma. The aircraft was destroyed by fire upon impact, and the wreckage was located by recovery personnel several hours after the accident. The incident resulted in the fatalities of all seven individuals on board, which included two children. The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Jul 1973 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident near Mt Sabyinyo, Democratic Republic of Congo?

A twin-engine aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area on the slope of Mount Sabyinyo, 50 km northeast of Goma. All seven occupants, including two children, were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Jul 1973 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Jul 1973 involved a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, registration 9Q-CCC, operated by Compagnie Cotonnière et Industrielle, at Mt Sabyinyo, Democratic Republic of Congo.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain.

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