Biega L410 at Shabunda on Oct 25th 2014, landed short of runway

A Biega Air Let L-410, registration 9Q-COT performing a freight flight from Bukavu to Shabunda (DR Congo) with 2 crew and 1500kg of cargo, was on approach to Shabunda but contacted ground outside the aerodrome at the right hand bank of South Kivu River. Both crew received serious/critical injuries and have been taken to hospitals, the aircraft broke up and received damage beyond repair.

Local media report the aircraft came down in an area under control of rebels in armed fight against DR Congo's military, the fate of the cargo is unclear, there are reports of both the cargo being destroyed and having remained undamaged.

Map, South Kivu River from right to left, inside the loop Shabunda is on the left bank of the river (Graphics:Google Earth):