Crash of a Boeing 727-2Q9 in Malakal

Date & Time: Mar 31, 2024
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-IRE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Juba - Malakal
MSN:
21931/1531
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a cargo flight from Juba, the airplane crashed upon landing at Malakal Airport. It veered off runway and eventually collided with a parked MD-82 registered 5Y-AXL that suffered an accident at the same airport last February 9. The airplane was destroyed and all seven occupants were rescued.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Malakal

Date & Time: Feb 9, 2024 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-AXL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Juba - Malakal
MSN:
49204
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Malakal Airport, the airplane was too low, causing both main landing gears to touch the ground about two metres short of runway 04 threshold. Upon impact, both landing gears sheared off and the airplane slid on its belly for few hundred metres before coming to rest in the middle of the runway. Both pilots escaped unharmed. According to locals, the airplane was en route from Juba to pick up returnees who had fled Sudan’s war from Malakal to Juba and had no passengers on board.

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.780 Andover C.1 in Malakal

Date & Time: Nov 10, 2015
Operator:
Registration:
TL-AEW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Malakal – Wau
MSN:
Set13
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Malakal to Wau on behalf of the World Food Program. Shortly after takeoff, during initial climb, an unexpected situation forced the captain to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field past the runway end, slid for few dozen metres and came to rest, bursting into flames. All four crew members evacuated safely and the aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Fokker 50 in Khartoum

Date & Time: Oct 2, 2011
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-ASD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum – Malakal
MSN:
20201
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
SD312
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Khartoum, the crew started the descent to Malakal, completed the checklist and lowered the landing gear. A technical problem occurred with the left main gear that remained stuck in its wheel well and failed to deploy. The crew decided to return to Khartoum. On approach to Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport runway 18, the crew elected to lower the gear manually but without success. The aircraft landed with both nose and right main gear deployed. After touchdown, the left wing contacted the runway surface. The aircraft slid for about 1,350 metres then veered to the left and came to rest. All 45 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK near Malakal: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 2008 at 0705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-ARN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum – Juba
MSN:
8 3 460 10
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
13300
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
11535
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3300
Aircraft flight hours:
14597
Aircraft flight cycles:
6924
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Khartoum at 0555LT on a cargo flight to Juba with 8 crew members on board. While cruising at FL170 in bad weather conditions, the engines n° 1 failed. One minute later, the engine n°3 failed as well, followed 40 seconds later by the failure of the engine n°4. The aircraft initiated a descent with a rate of 3,450 feet per minute and reach the altitude of 800 feet three minutes and 40 seconds after the failure of the engine n°1. At an altitude of 600 feet, the crew stabilized the aircraft and elected to restart the three engines but without success. Too low, the aircraft struck trees, lost its left stabilizer and crashed in a prairie 264 metres past the initial impact, bursting into flames. A crew member was rescued while 7 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and subsequent ground impact following the failure of engine n°1, 3 and 4.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew entered an area of thunderstorm activity with turbulences and icing conditions,
- Unserviceability or sudden failure of the weather radar,
- Accumulation of ice caused the blockage of the engines air intake assembly,
- Following impact with trees, the aircraft lost parts and the running engine n°2 caused the fire.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Nasir: 27 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1998 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7744
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum - Malakal - Nasir
MSN:
29 02
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
ZY001
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The approach was completed in low visibility due to poor weather conditions. The crew continued the approach and landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. After touchdown, th aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overrun and crashed in the Sobat River. Three crew and 24 passengers were killed while 30 other occupants were injured. Flight ZY001 was performed from Khartoum to Nasir with an intermediate stop in Malakal on behalf of the Sudanese Government. Several officials were on board, among them the Vice President, General Al Zubair Mohammed Saleh who was killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. Poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Malakal: 14 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-AIJ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Malakal - Khartoum
MSN:
404-0612
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Malakal Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed, most of them European toutists.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by SPLA forces.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 400M in Malakal: 60 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1986 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-ADY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Malakal - Khartoum
MSN:
10277
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
55
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
60
Aircraft flight hours:
25702
Aircraft flight cycles:
19290
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Malakal Airport, while climbing, the aircraft was shot down by a SAM-7 surface-to-air missile and crashed. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 60 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was shot down by soldiers of the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) directed by John Garang.

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Malakal: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ST-ADK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
402A-0119
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at Malakal Airport. Four occupants were killed, three others were injured.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 200 near Kapoeta: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-AAY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum - Malakal
MSN:
10238
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
13364
Aircraft flight cycles:
9298
Circumstances:
En route from Khartoum to Malakal, the crew was unable to receive the Malakal NDB so the captain decided to divert to Juba. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to receive the Juba NDB as well and due to fuel shortage, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area located near Kapoeta. Local guerilla members evacuated 32 wounded people while 10 others were killed, among them the captain, Mr. Westwood.