What happened
Shortly after departing from Kama for Kampene, the aircraft experienced an engine failure approximately eight minutes into the flight. In response to the mechanical issue, the crew elected to divert to Bukavu-Kavumu Airport, despite the destination being roughly 225 km away from their point of origin.
During the descent toward Bukavu, the aircraft entered a stall and impacted a wooded area situated approximately 20 km from the airport. The accident resulted in four fatalities, including both pilots and two passengers, while seven others sustained injuries, some of which were reported as critical. Weather conditions at both Kama and Bukavu were reported as favorable at the time of the incident.
Findings
Investigations suggest that the decision to divert to Bukavu rather than returning to the departure point in Kama remains unexplained. It is suspected that a second engine failure occurred as the plane approached the airport, leading to the loss of control and subsequent stall. Additionally, evidence indicated that the aircraft was likely over its maximum weight capacity and was transporting ammunition and weapons.