Friday 31 August 2007 at approx 1300, a Solenta DHC-6 ZS-NJK on lease to a third party client, was involved in an accident 16 Nm east of Punia airstrip in DRC, approximately 8-10 minutes after take off from Punia en route Goma to the east, approximately 1hr 15 minute flight time.
The aircraft was located on a river bank.
The aircraft was on a lease to a third party client and crewed entirely by the client’s pilots, both US pilots flying on SA Validations. Both crew members are experienced DHC-6 pilots and have flown extensively in the area.
Both the pilots were located and extracted to safety by the client's own Search and Rescue party with a C208 dispatched from nearby Goma, to the east.
Solenta engineer was aboard the C208 involved in the S&R mission and the aircraft and crew were located within a very short space of time.
Solenta’s Emergency Response Plan was initiated at the distress call phase, and the follow up investigation is continuing.
Fortunately, both the client’s crew members are perfectly okay, sustaining no serious injuries.
The authorites - FAA, SA CAA and DRC CAA have been informed and have all the necessary information.
In a very short space of time, Solenta acquired a lot of information related to the accident, reports from the pilots, and reports from our engineer at the accident site.
The aircraft had no passengers or payload, as it was returning empty to Goma from Punia. Initial reports from the Solenta engineer at the crash site indicate that the aircraft is badly damaged.
The airstrip has been assessed, and used, previously by Solenta, and is deemed suitable for C208 and DHC-6 at MTOW.
Aircraft was serviceable, weather was VMC, day operations.
Chief Pilot
Solenta Aviation