(Posted 23rd October 2022)
A RwandAir turboprop DHC8-400 yesterday suffered a runway excursion when landing at the Kamembe Airport (IATA:KME / ICAO:HRZA) in Cyangugu after a domestic flight (WB601) from Kigali.
The airport’s single runway is only just shy of 1.500 mtrs length, enough according to Q400 specifications to land this kind of turboprop aircraft safely. Runway conditions were described as wet, perhaps a factor that the aircraft left the runway and came to a standstill some 100 metres in the grass beyond the runway end.
The aircraft, registered at 9XR-WM, MSN 4498, was delivered to RwandAir in June 2015 in a two class configuration with 7 seats in Business Class (2-1) and 60 seats in Economy Class (2-2).
It could not be established how many passengers were on board the aircraft but no injuries were reported for those on board.
According to a source in Kigali did the aircraft suffer minor damage and will need to be inspected and cleared for return to service prior to commencing commercial flights again.
Earlier this year, in April 2022, did a CRJ900 aircraft of RwandAir also suffer a runway excursion after landing in Entebbe.
An air accident investigation is now underway, initiated by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority.
The airline subsequently issued a 3 line statement which reads as follows:
‘RwandAir Flight WB601 to Kamembe this morning had a minor incident on landing.
All passengers and crew are safe.
We’ll experience some disruptions in our schedule today and apologize for any inconvenience.’
Qatar Airways holds a minority share in RwandAir.
