Terrifying Congo Plane Crash Minister Delegation Escape Blaze Safely

Kolwezi, DRC – A chartered Embraer ERJ-145 plane carrying the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba and a delegation of around 20 officials crash-landed at Kolwezi airport on November 17, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Dramatic video footage circulating on social media captured the harrowing incident, showing panicked passengers evacuating as flames engulfed the rear half of the aircraft.

The two-minute, 51-second video recorded by a passenger shows the aircraft descending steadily with flaps deployed. However, the plane touched down before the displaced runway threshold, causing the main landing gear to collapse. The aircraft eventually skidded off the runway, coming to rest on its belly as the tail section caught fire. Thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the wreckage, creating a chaotic scene as passengers scrambled to safety.

The aircraft, registered as D2-AJB and operated by Angolan airline Airjet, had been flying from Kinshasa’s N'Djili Airport to Kolwezi, with a stop in Lubumbashi. FlightGlobal reports indicated that runway 29 at Kolwezi had a displaced threshold of 1,000 meters due to ongoing construction, leaving only 1,500 meters available for landing – a factor that may have contributed to the accident.

Congo’s BPEA, the agency responsible for independent civil aviation investigations, has opened a probe into the crash. Initial reports confirmed that there were no fatalities, with only material damage to the aircraft.

In a statement, the Ministry of Mines emphasized that the air incident did not affect the minister’s mission. “The minister has already begun technical meetings with the relevant authorities regarding the mission to Kalando and the necessary measures to support the affected communities,” the statement said.

The crash comes amid heightened attention to safety at regional airports in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where infrastructure challenges and construction projects can pose significant risks for aircraft operations.

Authorities and aviation experts are expected to study the video footage and aircraft data to determine the precise cause of the accident. Meanwhile, the successful evacuation of all passengers has been praised as a critical safety response in averting a potential tragedy.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of runway safety, precise approach planning, and emergency preparedness in preventing aviation disasters.