Tracep Aviation Plane Reported Missing Over Walikale

Search efforts are underway for a Tracep Aviation aircraft that disappeared on Friday, July 24. The LET LN410 plane was en route from Beni in North Kivu province to Kasongo in Maniema province, carrying goods.

According to reports, the aircraft departed from Beni airport around midday local time. Approximately one hour into the flight, the pilot reportedly signaled an engine failure to another aircraft in the vicinity. The crew then considered an emergency diversion to Walikale airfield.

No contact has been established with the plane since this radio communication. It neither reached Walikale nor its intended destination, Lulingu. Airport sources indicate the last known position was transmitted by the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), placing the aircraft approximately in the Kitshanga sector, northeast of Walikale in North Kivu.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the DRC announced that military aircraft from the FARDC have been mobilized since Saturday morning to aid in the search for the missing aircraft and its crew. Tracep Aviation has confirmed the plane's disappearance but provided no further details.