Kinshasa – Tshikapa – Mbuji-Mayi

On April 1, 1997 at 12:00 AM, Kinshasa – Tshikapa – Mbuji-Mayi experienced a crash involving Convair CV-580, operated by Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation, with the event recorded near Tshikapa Kasai-Occidental.

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

14 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 14 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 10, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. During the takeoff roll, the captain heard a noise and suspected a technical problem so he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and struck an embankment. All 14 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the crew initiated the takeoff in an up-slope configuration while the takeoffs at Tshikapa Airport are normally completed in a down-slope configuration. The runway is 1,000 metres long.

Aircraft reference details include registration 9Q-CRU, MSN 41, year of manufacture 1967.