Congo Plane Crash: Mines Minister and Delegation Escape Flames Unscathed

Post by : Raina Nasser

Kolwezi, DRC – A harrowing incident unfolded on November 17 when a chartered Embraer ERJ-145 carrying Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba and a group of 20 officials crash-landed at Kolwezi airport, releasing dense clouds of black smoke into the atmosphere. Shocking video footage shared on social media showcased the panic as passengers fled while flames engulfed the rear part of the aircraft.

The two-minute and 51-second video, captured by a passenger, shows the plane descending with flaps extended, but it ultimately landed short of the designated threshold, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear. The aircraft skidded off the runway, resting on its belly with the tail section going up in flames. Eyewitnesses observed thick, black smoke rising, marking a chaotic scene as passengers scrambled for safety.

The flight, registered as D2-AJB and operated by Angolan airline Airjet, was traveling from Kinshasa’s N'Djili Airport to Kolwezi, with a stop in Lubumbashi. According to FlightGlobal reports, runway 29 at Kolwezi had a displaced threshold of 1,000 meters, limiting available space to 1,500 meters for landing; this likely contributed to the accident.

Congo’s BPEA, which oversees independent civil aviation investigations, has launched an inquiry into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate there were no casualties, only damage to the aircraft.

The Ministry of Mines stated that the air incident did not hinder the minister’s agenda. “The minister has already resumed technical meetings with the relevant authorities concerning the mission to Kalando and the necessary support for the impacted communities,” read the statement.

This crash amplifies concerns regarding flight safety at regional airports in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where infrastructural issues and construction projects increase operational hazards.

Authorities and aviation analysts are set to examine the video and aircraft data to pinpoint the cause of the incident. Thankfully, the successful evacuation of all passengers stands as a testament to effective safety protocols in preventing a possible disaster.

This event underscores the critical need for runway safety, meticulous approach planning, and emergency preparedness to avert aviation tragedies.