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Serve Air Cargo runway excursion after engine failure at Kinshasa

Serve Air Cargo runway excursion after engine failure at Kinshasa

A Serve Air Cargo Boeing 737-300 freighter, bearing registration 9S-AKK, was in the midst of a flight to Kinshasa N’djili in the Democratic Republic of Congo, its point of origin shrouded in mystery. As the aircraft commenced its descent towards runway 24, navigating through approximately 11,000 feet, a distressing turn of events unfolded: the left-hand engine, a CFM56, succumbed to failure and was promptly shut down by the vigilant flight crew.

Undeterred by the mechanical setback, the aircraft persevered in its approach, aiming for a safe landing on runway 24. However, as fate would have it, upon engaging the right-hand reverser during the landing sequence at around 19:00 local time (18:00 UTC), the aircraft veered off course to the right, departing the confines of the runway. Its journey halted abruptly as it came to rest on soft ground, all landing gear sinking into the earth. Remarkably, no injuries were reported amongst the occupants.

Source: The Aviation Herald

The aftermath revealed a scene of significant damage inflicted upon the aircraft: the right-hand engine was nowhere to be found, while the left-hand engine bore substantial impairments. Prompt response teams swung into action, towing the disabled aircraft from the runway approximately 1.5 hours post-incident, facilitating the resumption of airport operations.

With the crippled freighter lifted from its compromised position by two formidable cranes, the arduous process of recovery commenced, underscoring the challenges inherent in such salvage operations.

Meanwhile, amidst the unfolding drama, a Brussels Airlines Airbus A330-300, identifiable by its registration OO-SFB, was navigating the skies en route from Luanda, Angola to Kinshasa N’Djili. Positioned at FL250, roughly halfway into its journey, the aircraft found itself confronted with the unsettling developments below. Opting for prudence, the flight crew initiated a hold at FL250 around 19:02 UTC, enduring a thirty-minute interlude of uncertainty.

Ultimately, a decision was made to reverse course, retracting the flight’s trajectory back towards Luanda. However, a change of heart occurred around 19:45 UTC, prompting a second turnaround, this time directed towards Kinshasa. The Airbus A330-300 executed a safe touchdown on Kinshasa’s runway 24 at 20:15 UTC, concluding its eventful journey with a testament to skillful piloting and operational flexibility.

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