A Trans Air Cargo Service Douglas DC-8-73(CF) freighter ran off the runway while landing at Kinshasa-N’Djili International Airport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The aircraft, registered 9S-AJO, came to rest beyond the paved surface. Initial information indicated a collapsed nose landing gear and substantial aircraft damage.
The DRC’s Bureau permanent d’enquêtes d’accidents et incidents d’aviation (BPEA) was notified and sent investigators to the site, according to information reported by FlightGlobal and The Aviation Herald. The circumstances of the runway excursion had not been established and no cause could be confirmed.
An exceptionally rare aircraft
9S-AJO is a Douglas DC-8-73(CF), a four-engined freighter built in the early 1970s and later re-engined with CFM56 engines. Operated by Congolese carrier Trans Air Cargo Service, it is among the very few DC-8s still recorded as active worldwide.
Public aircraft-identification data confirm serial number 46133 and its operation by Trans Air Cargo Service. Its recent flight history remained visible on tracking services before the event.
What is confirmed: and what is not
Confirmed at the time of publication were the identity of the aircraft, the runway excursion at Kinshasa-N’Djili, its position on soft ground with the nose gear collapsed, and the opening of a BPEA investigation.
However, the flight’s origin, number of people aboard, any injuries and the precise technical sequence during landing had not yet been officially detailed.
AeroSillage will update the article if the BPEA, the Congolese civil aviation authority or the operator releases further verified information.
Sources: FlightGlobal; AeroInside / The Aviation Herald; Flightradar24. Featured image: Jono Druion / JetPhotos: 9S-AJO photographed in Johannesburg on December 3, 2024.
Why a runway excursion matters beyond the aircraft
A cargo-aircraft runway excursion can disrupt airport capacity, freight flows and ground operations even when there are no passenger consequences. Investigators will examine braking, runway condition, aircraft systems and crew actions before determining the cause.
Related: A350F vs 777-8F: the new battle for global air cargo, for the wider freight-aircraft market context.
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