What happened
On 1 September 2008, a Beech 190 and 00C, registered as ZS-OLD, was performing a commercial flight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The aircraft, which was leased to a local operator providing services to the United Nations, departed from Kisangani Aerodrome at approximately 1200Z. The flight was carrying two crew members and 15 passengers, all of whom were traveling toward Bukavu Aerodrome under instrument flight rules.
At 1400Z, the crew contacted the Bukavu air traffic information service, reporting they were at flight level 210 and approximately 33 nautical miles from their destination, with an expected arrival time of 1410Z. After receiving instructions to coordinate their descent with Goma Control, the aircraft reported passing through flight level 120 at 1403Z. However, when Bukavu tower attempted to contact the aircraft at 1406Z, there was no response. Following the failure of the aircraft to arrive, an alert was broadcast to Kindu, Goma, and Kisangani at 1415Z.
The investigation
An aerial search initiated the following morning located the wreckage at 0538Z. The aircraft had struck mountainous terrain approximately 7.8 nautical miles northwest of Bukavu Aerodrome at an elevation of 10,800 feet. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained severe damage, including fractured propeller blades and structural separation of the upper cabin fuselage due to decompression upon impact. Meteorological data indicated that thunderstorm activity was prevalent in the vicinity of the accident site during the flight.
Findings
- The aircraft impacted mountainous terrain during its approach to Bukavu.
- All 17 fatalities (two crew and 15 passengers) occurred as a result of the impact.
- Severe weather, specifically active thunderstorms, was present in the area at the time of the accident.