Kinshasa – Tshikapa

On September 11, 1984 at 12:00 AM, Kinshasa – Tshikapa experienced a crash involving Handley Page HPR-7 Dart Herald, operated by MMM Aero Services, with the event recorded near Kandala Bandundu.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

36 people were known to be on board, 30 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 83.3%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 31, passenger fatalities: 25, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. En route from Kinshasa to Tshikapa, one of the engine failed. The crew decided to divert to Kandala Airstrip, southeast of Bandundu province. After landing on a small airfield, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and crashed in flames. Six passengers were injured while 30 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 9Q-CAH, MSN 159, year of manufacture 1962.