Dramatic Video Shows Crash Landing of a Plane in Congo

A chartered Embraer ERJ-145 carrying a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Mines was destroyed by fire after a landing accident at Kolwezi Airport on November 17. Passenger video showed the aircraft sliding off the end of runway 29 before coming to rest in the dirt beyond the paved surface. All occupants escaped before flames spread through the rear fuselage.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft, registered D2-AJB and operated by AirJet Angola, departed Kinshasa and made a stop in Lubumbashi before continuing to Kolwezi. Local aviation notices issued days earlier indicated that the landing threshold for runway 29 had been displaced by one thousand meters due to ongoing work, which left a reduced landing distance available. The ERJ-145 touched down short of this adjusted threshold, and the landing gear collapsed during the roll.

Footage from inside the cabin recorded the moment the aircraft settled on its belly and veered off the runway. Once the aircraft stopped, a fire developed near the tail section while passengers exited in a rapid sequence. Airport responders reached the site within moments to contain the fire.

Investigation

Authorities from Congo’s accident investigation agency secured the wreckage and began documenting runway conditions, weather, and aircraft performance. Early statements confirmed that all passengers and crew survived. The delegation was traveling to Kolwezi for official duties related to a recent mining accident in the region.