Another overrun accident from Hewa Bora: MD80 written off...

[tolipanebas]

http://avherald.com/h?article=42d3b7f5&opt=0

Hewa Bora is blacklisted in the EU, as well as all other airlines from the RDC...

[airtrotter]

this 'deplorable' runway is also used by SN....makes you think

[regi]

there is just 1 runway, so difficult to organsise repairs, certainly with incoming wide bodies.
Maybe they can do something together with Brazzaville , and do a total overhaul.
That would demand very difficult measures on border control, transit visa etcetera.

[tolipanebas]

this 'deplorable' runway is also used by SN....makes you think

It's why it is so important to fly with reliable airlines like AF, SN, etc and not with a bunch of local cowboys..

there is just 1 runway, so difficult to organsise repairs, certainly with incoming wide bodies.

You've just used a word not suitable to describe anything in relation to FIH: organise.

FIH is totally unbelievable if you haven't been there yet and the RWY is indeed a complete disaster to operate from.

However, don't count on any repairworks, regi, this is the RDC we're talking about.
Nothing has been done there since at least 10 years or so and nothing will be done for at least another 10 years, I think! The 'terminal infrastructure' is fun to have a look at too, BTW. It's still the old building built by the Belgians in the 1950s, yet unmaintained since 50 years!

BTW, the comments on the website I've linked to in relation to this article are fun to read too, if you have time to spare...

[regi]

this 'deplorable' runway is also used by SN....makes you think

It's why it is so important to fly with reliable airlines like AF, SN, etc and not with a bunch of local cowboys..

there is just 1 runway, so difficult to organsise repairs, certainly with incoming wide bodies.

You've just used a word not suitable to describe anything in relation to FIH: organise.

FIH is totally unbelievable if you haven't been there yet and the RWY is indeed a complete disaster to operate from.

However, don't count on any repairworks, regi, this is the RDC we're talking about.
Nothing has been done there since at least 10 years or so and nothing will be done for at least another 10 years, I think! The 'terminal infrastructure' is fun to have a look at too, BTW. It's still the old building built by the Belgians in the 1950s, yet unmaintained since 50 years!

BTW, the comments on the website I've linked to in relation to this article are fun to read too, if you have time to spare...

I don't want to become a target of RDC fanatics.
Just small remark: with those Belgian state visits , I would use the opportunity to sell a complete new airport to the RDC. Because the Belgian product is so good. The proof is that - as you said - they used it for so long without maintenance.
No Chinese company can forward such a long quality record.

[tolipanebas]

I would use the opportunity to sell a complete new airport to the RDC. Because the Belgian product is so good. The proof is that - as you said - they used it for so long without maintenance.
No Chinese company can forward such a long quality record.

haha, that's a good shot you've taken!

However, 'selling' may proof to ambitous; now, try 'giving away' and you may have better luck, because that's how the Chinese try to get into Africa these days, with the sole aim to secure unlimited and direct access to the natural resources...

[regi]

I would use the opportunity to sell a complete new airport to the RDC. Because the Belgian product is so good. The proof is that - as you said - they used it for so long without maintenance.
No Chinese company can forward such a long quality record.

haha, that's a good shot you've taken!

However, 'selling' may proof to ambitous; now, try 'giving away' and you may have better luck, because that's how the Chinese try to get into Africa these days, with the sole aim to secure unlimited and direct access to the natural resources...

I know, I know how the Chinese buy themselves into the African market. But we have plenty to give away as well. Remember the old Belgian army winter coats given to the RDC soldiers? Or the rubber boots?
How many military ( over due ) survival food packages can we load in a DC-8 from Ostend ?

Real detail: did I tell you already that the runway lights at Gbadolite airport were supplied by a Belgian company at Zaventem? They were made according the most severe weather conditions, resistant against -60°C. How I know ? We made them. It was a plain scandal. The entire airport costed way too much money. Am I right that even the Concorde made a stop once over there?
At a certain moment there were more airplanes landing at Gbadolite with prepared Belgian restaurant food, than regular flights at Kinshasha.
But those days have gone. Now there is no more corruption under the government of the democratically elected Kabila Jr.
Everything is fine. No worries. No money transfers needed anymore just to get your luggage. Free entry at the airport. Free exit as well, can you imagine.

[jan_olieslagers]

http://avherald.com/h?article=42d3b7f5&opt=0

Hewa Bora is blacklisted in the EU, as well as all other airlines from the RDC...

But where does it say the a/c is a write-off?

[makala]

The runway status is one problem, but there is no statement in my knowledge about the airrcraft tires status,
and what was the aircraft take-off speeds ( at certainly max-take-off weights and +- 30°C for a MD82)....
I can also comment that the crew did a very nice job to bring the aircraft back without injuries. Africa is and will remain as it is for long time aviation wise. Security there is a day by day challenge.

[jan_olieslagers]

Makala, welcome here, and thank you for your posting! Contributions like yours certainly help improve the level of this aviation forum!

[regi]

Makala, welcome here, and thank you for your posting! Contributions like yours certainly help improve the level of this aviation forum!

Yes, welcome on board.