Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 8 May 2003
Aircraft Type: Ilyushin Il-76MD
Owner/operator: Air Force of the D.R. Congo, lsf Ukrainian Cargo Airways
Registration Number: UR-UCB
Location: near Kinshasa –
ÿ Congo (Democratic Republic)
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Substantial, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 115
Component Affected: Cargo doorCargo door
Category: Accident
On May 8th, a Ukrainian cargo plane carrying military vehicles and passengers from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi experienced a catastrophic decompression during flight. Approximately 45 minutes into the flight, the rear cargo door opened unexpectedly, resulting in a significant decompression and loss of life. Seven individuals were confirmed dead, with estimates suggesting a potentially much higher number of fatalities.On May 8th, a Ukrainian cargo plane carrying military vehicles and passengers from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi experienced a catastrophic decompression during flight. Approximately 45 minutes into the flight, the rear cargo door opened unexpectedly, resulting in a significant decompression and loss of life. Seven individuals were confirmed dead, with estimates suggesting a potentially much higher number of fatalities.
Description
Ilyushin 76 UR-UCB was leased to the Congolese Ministry of Defense by the Ukrainian company Ukrainian Cargo Airways and operated in Congo since December 2002. On May 8th, soldiers and their families boarded the transport plane for a flight from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi. The aircraft also carried some military vehicles. About 45 minutes into the flight the rear cargo door opened in flight, causing decompression of the cargo hold. A number of passengers were sucked out. The plane returned safely to Kinshasa. Seven people were confirmed dead by a government spokesman, while others estimate many more may have been killed (maybe even around 60).
Primary Cause
Unexpected cargo door opening during flight.Unexpected cargo door opening during flight.Share on:
