2011 Trans Air Congo Antonov An-12 crash

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On 21 March 2011, a Trans Air Congo Antonov An-12 transport aircraft, which was not airworthy, crashed into a heavily inhabited area in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, during its final approach for landing. The accident resulted in the deaths of all four crew members aboard and nineteen individuals on the ground. Additionally, fourteen people on the ground sustained injuries.

Accident

The aircraft was conducting a domestic cargo operation from Brazzaville to Pointe Noire Airport within the Republic of the Congo. At approximately 15:30 local time (14:30 UTC) on 21 March, while approaching runway 17 at Pointe Noire Airport, the Antonov An-12 inverted and impacted the Mvoumvou district. Weather conditions were reported as favorable at that time. According to statements from the Russian Embassy, there was an attempted emergency water landing that ultimately could not be executed.

There were four crew members on board. Initial reports suggested that five unauthorized passengers might have been present; however, this was later disproved. The operation of Antonov An-12 aircraft for passenger transport is prohibited within the Republic of the Congo.

Reports concerning casualties varied initially, with death toll estimates ranging between sixteen and nineteen. On 23 March, Roland Bouiti-Viaudo, mayor of Pointe-Noire, confirmed that twenty-three bodies had been recovered. The number of injured people was reported as fourteen. An update from the Agence Nationale de l'Aviation Civile du Congo on 23 March clarified that only four crew members were aboard and confirmed their fatalities along with nineteen ground fatalities.

A video capturing the crash shows the aircraft rolling to its right side and descending inverted before impact. The footage reveals that the plane was configured for landing, with landing gear and flaps deployed; however, only engines number one and two appeared to be functioning, emitting visible smoke trails. For this particular aircraft model, simultaneous failure of both engines on one wing can cause loss of control due to insufficient rudder authority to counteract asymmetric thrust.

Aircraft

The plane involved was an Antonov An-12 manufactured in the Soviet Union, bearing the Congolese registration TN-AGK. It was powered by four Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engines. Constructed in 1963, this aircraft was listed as no longer airworthy according to a 2006 publication by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Investigation

The Government of the Republic of the Congo established a joint committee to conduct an inquiry into the crash. This committee comprised officials from governmental bodies, law enforcement, and representatives from the country's aviation sector.