B737-200 Crash in DRC

[CaptainSandL]

I would like to hear the full story about this accident but given the country in which it occured and the fact that it was a non-revenue flight, I doubt that we will ever find out much.

It certainly highlights the potential hazards of airtesting and the reason for keeping the number of observers down to the bare minimum.

S&L


By ANDnetwork .com

A Boeing 737 belonging to a senior aviation figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo crashed during a test flight on Friday (14 Apr 2006), killing all seven people on board.

The incident occurred at the capital Kinshasa's airport.

Airport sources said the plane was making a landing when its port-side undercarriage failed, causing the crash. Reports said the flightcrew, which included a number of aero-engineers, had battled in vain to safely land the stricken aircraft.

It belonged to General Kikunda, who had been air force commander during Mobutu Sese Seko's presidency (1965 - 1997) when the country was named Zaire. Kikunda, who was also the former head of the state aviation administration, was not on board at the time of the accident.

Kikunda had ordered the test flight, as he had decided to put the aircraft back into use after nearly 10 years of standing idle. It had been left on the airport's parking apron since 1997.

-Xinhua-

http://www.andnetwork.com/app?service=direct/1/Home/$StorySummary.$DirectLink$1&sp=l29881

[Stubenfliege 2]

Again, Africa and the DR of Congo.

Must be a lot more happened then "the port gear failed", when seven people died in this crash.

Anyone know which airline concerned?

[jfill]

The crash photo is from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines DC-10 which crashed 01 July 2005. No fatalities.

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20050701-0&lang=en

[hobie]

I hesitate but must ask a question ..... :rolleyes:

why would the report by 'andnetwork (http://andnetwork)' in CaptainSandL's post show a photo of a DC-10 in a condition that one would suspect everyone to walk away from? and yet clearly state the type of aircraft to be a 737? .... :confused:

[Istorik]

This info looks like a canard. There are no another report from any news agency, expect of Xinhua. Even Congolaise Radio Okapi, which used to inform about all local crashes, did not provide us with any report, although the accident happened at the capital airport!

[policepilot]

I doubt this happened. I know for a fact there are Ppruners living in Kinshasa (shame) and yet nothing on the Africa forum. Can't believe the plane landed, then the port undercarriage collapsed and then they died.

[TheShadow]

KINSHASA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A Boeing 737 belonging to a senior aviation figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo crashedduring a test flight on Friday, killing all seven people on board.
****The incident occurred at the capital Kinshasa's airport.
****Airport sources said the plane was making a landing when its port-side undercarriage failed, causing the crash. Reports said the flightcrew, which included a number of aero-engineers, had battled in vain to safely land the stricken aircraft.
****It belonged to General Kikunda, who had been air force commander during Mobutu Sese Seko's presidency (1965 - 1997) when the country was named Zaire. Kikunda, who was also the former headof the state aviation administration, was not on board at the timeof the accident.
****Kikunda had ordered the test flight, as he had decided to put the aircraft back into use after nearly 10 years of standing idle. It had been left on the airport's parking apron since 1997

[Speedbreak]

Apparently a B737-200, from ex-Air Zaire( LAC) crah during a test flight in Kinshasa DRC, seven death!( After several years sitting on the ground)!
Must be 9Q-CNK ....

9Q-CNK B737-298C

CN 20795
LN 348
First flight 01.05.1974

Any news or pix?

See you!

[Speedbreak]

...Must be 9Q-CNK, B737-200QC ex-Air Zaire, LAC.

9Q-CNK B737-298C

CN 20795
LN 348
First flight 01.05.1974

[gerhardv8]

I did not heard this but, can say that a Military (Congolese?) C-130 did a landing with the left main gear retracted on Friday at about 1350z.

I took a pic of a B737-200 a while ago as it was on tow to the HBA hangers and I think it was getting ready to fly for "Bravo" airlines?? .....but I will chk the pic on Monday, do not have it with me, so not to sure about the reg.

gerhardv8

[gerhardv8]

On 14 Apr 06 @ 13:50z, a (Congolese) Military C-130 during a "assumed" training flight, landed on Rwy 24 with the left main gear in the retracted position. The aircraft performed several "low" fly-pasts and touch&goe from about 13:00z untill the time of the final "landing"........No injuries/fatalities.

The aircraft came to rest about 400m to the north of the C-Taxiway just off the eastern side (ramp-side) of the rwy. Although in close proximity of, but just clear of the rwy...........

The aircraft did a "go-around" at about 13:45z and the left main gear was clearly observed to be in a retracted position whilst the rest of the gear were down.

I must add this: It is not the first of such incidents at FIH, (that I have observed), ...congrats to the Fire Dept (RVA) of Kinshasa Airport, who reacted to the incident and managed to save the aircraft and crew.
(engine fire #1).I have attended some of their training excercises and have seen them in action, several times......pretty impressive.

gerhardv8

[Romeo E.T.]

This is currently being discussed on www.airliners.net
Try this link: http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/2721967/

[Speedbreak]

...strange, because the last C-130 had no #3 eng. at all.
And there is "an embargo " on the spare parts for any Congolese military A/c...


Anyway...This is DRC!

[Solid Rust Twotter]

No attempt to hand crank the C-130 main gear and chain it in place?

[jetstream7]

Doesn't all quite add up...

Previously W/O ?

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990101-0

[BUSHJEPPY]

In Africa, W/O for insurances yes, but not necessarly for further operations!

[Speedbreak]

Apparently, the info about the B737 is completly wrong!
A few days ago, it was a C-130 from the ex-Zaire army who crash during the landing in Kinshasa, DRC.
No idea, if the spare parts's embargo for C-130's in DRC was lifted, but General Kikunda manage to repair the last C-130 for a test flight.
That plane did not fly for almost 9 years.
After a few low pass and touch and go's the C-130 (with Gnrl Kikunda as First Officer),came for the landing with the left main gear lock up, and decide to land.
The plane veer out off the runway.The plane is destroy, but no injuries!

[Speedbreak]

Apparently, my info about the B737 is completly wrong!
Sorry Guys!
A few days ago, it was a C-130 from the ex-Zaire army who crash during the landing in Kinshasa.
No idea, if the spare parts's embargo for C-130's in DRC was lifted, but General Kikunda manage to repair the last C-130 for a test flight.
That plane did not fly for almost 9 years.
After a few low pass and touch and go's the C-130 (with Gnrl Kikunda as First Officer),came for the landing with the left main gear lock up, and decide to land.
The plane veer out off the runway.The plane is destroy, but no injuries!
...you're right GerhardV8...
Cheers :ok:

[Sensible Garage]

would be very surprised if this is true, this is/was their fleet:

9T-TCA C-130H 4411 Bordeaux 19may02 stored
9T-TCB C-130H 4416 Jan Smuts oct94 wfu
9T-TCC C-130H 4589 impounded to France to FAF 1997
9T-TCD C-130H 4422 191 Esc w/o 18aug74 Kinsangani
9T-TCE C-130H 4569 191 Esc w/o 14sep80 Kindu
9T-TCF C-130H 4588 impounded to France to FAF 1997
9T-TCG C-130H 4736 191 Esc w/o 19apr90 Kinshasa

only 9T-TCB seems an option but that was supposed to be wfu in Joburg....?

[Few Cloudy]

I'd just hate to be an insurance company out there - but on second thoughts, maybe they make it worth your while...

[Speedbreak]

Information coming from Kinshasa is that the C-130 was registred 9T-TCB.
Apparently, it is with the help of the Belgian Airforce engeneer (based in DRC) that this C-130 was "repaired"!

[jfill]

Finally confirmation from Aviation-Safety.

This was a C-130 crash with no fatalities.

Link:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060414-0

This was a convoluted story that started out as a B-737 crash killing all aboard but showed a picture of a DC-10 crash.

Maybe we have the actual facts now.

[copernicus]

Here it is for anyone who wants to know...:mad:
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i65/ppruneposts/553d9822.jpg

[steamchicken]

Eyeing an An26 registered to "private users in Kyrgyzstan", first heard of in Fujairah. Ah, African aviation..