In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a cargo aircraft that had been missing since Friday, July 24, 2026, was found on Sunday after crashing in Walikale Territory, North Kivu Province.
The aircraft, operated by Tracep Congo Aviation, had departed from Beni in North Kivu Province and was en route to Kachungu in Shabunda Territory, South Kivu Province. It was carrying two people and nearly two tons of cargo.
According to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft took off from Mavivi Airport in Beni on Friday at 12:36 p.m. local time.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot issued a distress call, reporting that one of the aircraft’s two engines had developed a mechanical problem.
The captain then attempted to divert to Walikale Airport for an emergency landing. However, the aircraft soon disappeared from radar, and all communication with it was lost.
After three days of search efforts, the aircraft was found on the evening of Sunday, July 26, 2026, in the Kamaninge area of Walikale Territory.
The pilot was killed in the crash, while the co-pilot survived.
