Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft broke apart in flight and crashed near Mkwaya while operating under poor weather conditions that included turbulence and strong winds. The accident resulted in the deaths of all 13 occupants on board.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the type of grease used during installation of press fit bolts to the aircraft's booms caused corrosion nodes to develop. These corrosion nodes weakened the lower starboard boom at the outboard bolt hole. Subsequently, a gust of wind induced a fracture of that boom outboard of Station 141, leading to the complete disintegration of the aircraft in flight.