Aircraft collides with motorbike on Congolese runway

Aircraft lubumbashi_international_airport.png
LO Kin-hei

A Congo Airways aircraft arriving at Lubumbashi International Airport (FBM) on August 14, 2021, collided with a motorbike crossing the runway while the plane was approaching to land.

The Dash 8-400 (registered 9S-AAN) was inbound from Mbuji Mayi Airport (MJM) at 1915 local time.

The plane was carrying 18 passengers and 5 crew, local media said, citing a statement from the Congolese Transport Ministry.

Images of the aftermath of the incident showed significant damage to the aircraft’s nose and front landing gear, while the motorbike was damaged beyond repair. 

No injuries or casualties were reported by the airline regarding the passengers or crew members. The motorbike driver was taken to the hospital because of injuries sustained in the collision. 

As reported by the local media, the Democratic Republic of Congo issued a statement saying that a probe has been initiated to investigate the incident.

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