Kamako – Nsumbula – Diboko – Tshikapa

On July 27, 2018 at 10:00 AM, Kamako – Nsumbula – Diboko – Tshikapa experienced a crash involving PZL-Mielec AN-2, operated by Air Kasai, with the event recorded near Kamako 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.

7 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 71.4%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 4, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is other causes. The single engine airplane departed Kamako Airport on a flight to Tshikapa with intermediate stops in Nsumbula and Diboko, carrying five passengers and two pilots. After takeoff, while climbint to a height of about 3,500 feet, the crew spotted birds in the vicinity when the engine lost power. The captain decided to return to Kamako but as he was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a marshy field located 3 km from the airport, bursting into flames. The captain and a passenger survived while five other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 9S-GFS, MSN 1G201-29, year of manufacture 1983.