Walikale – Goma

On May 17, 2007 at 11:00 AM, Walikale – Goma experienced a crash involving Let L-410, operated by Safe Air Company, with the event recorded near Walikale Nord-Kivu.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a plain, valley crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 1, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The twin engine aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Walikale to Goma, carrying one passenger, two pilots and a load consisting of two tons of minerals (cassiterite). Three minutes after it departed a 700 metres long dirt road, one of the engine caught fire. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area. All 3 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration TN-AHE, MSN 85 13 35, year of manufacture 1985.