Narrative:The Electra plane was rented by the Congolese Armed Forces to transport fuel to Mbandaka. The aircraft, 6 tonnes overloaded, also carried live ammunition including bombs. Because no co-pilot was present, the flight engineer was performing duties of the co-pilot and a ground mechanic was performing duties of the flight engineer. Shortly after takeoff the no. 3 engine had to be shut down. The captain tried to return to the airport but the plane lost altitude and control, crashing some three minutes after takeoff, on the premises of the Congolese Electricity Company.
Classification:
Overloaded
Loss of control
Sources:
» Africa News Online
» Reuters
» Scramble 239
Photos
accident date:
08-02-1999type: Lockheed L-188A Electra
registration: PP-VJN
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport to Mbandaka Airport as the crow flies is 581 km (363 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.