Kenge plane crash kills 17, including two military generals

A Let 410 aircraft operated by TRACEP Congo crashed in Kenge, Kwango province, while traveling from Kikwit to Kinshasa. The accident resulted in 17 fatalities, including 13 passengers and 4 crew members. Among the victims were two FARDC lieutenant generals, Mutombo Katalayi Tiende Joseph and Likulia Bakumi Lucien René.

Following the crash, Vice-Prime Minister of Transport Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo requested urgent technical reports from the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) and the Régie des voies aériennes (RVA). The inquiries seek information regarding the technical state of the aircraft, registered as 9S-GUC, and its most recent airworthiness inspection.

According to Kwango Vice-Governor Rémy Saki, the aircraft experienced technical difficulties and attempted an emergency landing in the Manzaw neighborhood before crashing on an unoccupied plot. No casualties were reported on the ground. In response to the incident, the Minister ordered the immediate withdrawal of TRACEP Congo's air carrier certificate, noting the company had been involved in another accident weeks prior.