Investigation Summary
The accident involved a Soviet-designed Antonov An-32B (MSN 14 07), a tactical transport known for its high power-to-weight ratio and ability to operate in hot and high conditions. On August 26, 2007, the aircraft was loaded with nine tons of cassiterite (tin ore) at Kongolo. Although the flight was registered as a cargo service, 12 passengers were also on board. Shortly after departure, the crew encountered technical difficulties with one of the engines. While attempting to maneuver back to the runway at Kongolo, the aircraft lost sufficient lift to maintain flight. The resulting stall led to a crash in dense woods 3,000 meters from the runway threshold, where the aircraft burst into flames upon impact. The wreckage resulted in the near-total loss of life; while two people were initially reported to have been thrown from the plane and survived the impact, only a two-year-old child ultimately survived. The operator, Great Lakes Business Company (GLBC), was at the time under United Nations sanctions for the transport of arms and ammunition in violation of an embargo. Following the crash, the DRC Transport Ministry suspended GLBC's license and grounded the airline, while also suspending the manager of the Kongolo aerodrome.
Final Conclusions
The crash was caused by an engine failure during the initial climb, followed by an aerodynamic stall during the subsequent emergency return to Kongolo Airport. The presence of nine tons of minerals and 12 passengers suggests the aircraft may have been operating near or beyond its maximum takeoff weight, which would have severely degraded its single engine performance and increased the stall speed during the emergency approach.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Ivchenko AI-20 Turboprop Engines
The An-32 is powered by two high-mounted turboprop engines designed to provide significant thrust for short-field operations; a failure in one unit significantly complicates flight dynamics, especially when heavily loaded.
Aerodynamic Stall
A condition where the angle of attack increases beyond a certain point such that lift begins to decrease, often occurring during emergency maneuvers if airspeed is not strictly maintained.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying 9 tons of cassiterite, a primary ore of tin.
- 02A two-year-old boy was the only person to survive the crash long-term, though a young man was also initially rescued from the wreckage.
- 03The flight was operating as a cargo service but carried 12 passengers.
- 04The crash occurred approximately 10 minutes after takeoff.
- 05The aircraft was 20 years old at the time of the accident, manufactured in 1987 (MSN 14 07).
- 06The aircraft burst into flames after colliding with trees during an emergency return to the airport.
- 07The operator, Great Lakes Business Company, was under UN sanctions for arms trafficking at the time of the accident.
- 08Following the crash, the DRC Transport Ministry grounded the airline and suspended its license.