Ocean Airlines

Let L-410

While approaching Mutsamudu Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. The crew followed a holding pattern about 30 km away from the airport for weather improvement. Few minutes later, the crew started the descent to Mutsamudu-Ouani Airport. On approach at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the aircraft was struck by lightning. The crew elected to initiate a go-around procedure but the electrical system partially failed due to lightning and both gyro compasses and artificial horizons failed. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located few km from the airport. A passenger was killed while 15 other occupants were injured.