Narrative:
The DC-4 was 900 m into takeoff when the pilot had to take action to avoid an empty fuel drum on the runway. The plane veered left, but the nose wheel hit the drum. The nose lifted off and the DC-4 was about to rotate when the fuel drum bounced against the right stabilizer, causing part of the stabilizer to be torn away. The aircraft became airborne and lost control, diving into the clearway at an angle of about 30 degrees, bouncing up and crashing 50 m farther. Leopoldville is now called Kinshasa.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was brought about by impact with a fuel drum which caused partial destruction of the right elevator, thus rendering the aircraft uncontrollable in flight."
Runway mishap
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 29 November 1964 |
| Time: | 19:20 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-4 |
| Operator: | Air Congo |
| Registration: | OO-DEP |
| MSN: | 18384 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 48113 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 11 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 14 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Léopoldville-N'Djili Airport (FIH) ( Congo (Democratic Republic))
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Léopoldville-N'Djili Airport (FIH/FZAA), Congo (Democratic Republic) |
| Kamina Airport (KMN/FZSA), Congo (Democratic Republic) |
The DC-4 was 900 m into takeoff when the pilot had to take action to avoid an empty fuel drum on the runway. The plane veered left, but the nose wheel hit the drum. The nose lifted off and the DC-4 was about to rotate when the fuel drum bounced against the right stabilizer, causing part of the stabilizer to be torn away. The aircraft became airborne and lost control, diving into the clearway at an angle of about 30 degrees, bouncing up and crashing 50 m farther. Leopoldville is now called Kinshasa.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was brought about by impact with a fuel drum which caused partial destruction of the right elevator, thus rendering the aircraft uncontrollable in flight."
Classification:
Runway mishap
Sources:
» ICAO Aircraft Accident Digest No.16 - Volume III, Circular 82-AN/69 (125-128)Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Léopoldville-N'Djili Airport to Kamina Airport as the crow flies is 1177 km (736 miles).
Distance from Léopoldville-N'Djili Airport to Kamina Airport as the crow flies is 1177 km (736 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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