The aircraft was traveling from the southwestern city of Kikwit to the capital, Kinshasa, when it developed a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province, according to Remy Saki Bokinda, the province’s vice governor, Reuters reported.
With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot, Bokinda said.
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The passengers included General Likulia Bakumi, the army’s auditor general, as well as a major, a captain and other military personnel and civilians.
“All those on board died,” Bokinda said, adding that 12 victims were burned beyond recognition and the pilot’s body was found outside the aircraft.
Congo’s aviation accident investigation authority is launching an investigation into the crash, according to a government statement.
The crash comes as Congo’s army continues to face the consequences of major setbacks in the country’s east, where Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels seized large areas last year.
