A 55-year-old Douglas DC-8 freighter operated by Trans Air Cargo Service (TACS) was involved in a runway excursion while landing at N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
The aircraft, registered 9S-AJO, reportedly overran or veered off the runway during landing before coming to a stop beyond the paved runway surface.
According to aviation-focused platform FL360aero, the aircraft is a Douglas DC-8-70/73 freighter operated by TACS and has been in service with the Congolese cargo carrier for several years.
Details surrounding the incident remain limited, with the circumstances leading to the runway excursion, the extent of any damage to the aircraft and whether there were any injuries yet to be confirmed.
The occurrence has nevertheless attracted attention because of the aircraft involved. At around 55 years old, 9S-AJO is among the small number of DC-8 aircraft that remain in commercial cargo service, making the type an increasingly rare sight in today’s aviation industry.
The DC-8, which entered commercial service in the late 1950s, was one of the aircraft that helped usher in the jet age for commercial airlines. While passenger operations have long since disappeared from most markets, a handful of the aircraft have continued flying as freighters, particularly in specialised cargo operations.
Authorities are expected to investigate the Kinshasa runway excursion to establish the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and assess the aircraft’s condition.
Further details are expected as the investigation progresses and officials establish whether the incident resulted in significant damage or disruption to operations at N’Djili International Airport.
