South West Aviation | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Juba Airport runway 31, while climbing, the aircraft lost height and crashed in a prairie located near Referendom, about 4 km northwest of Juba Airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A passenger was seriously injured while nine other occupants were killed. The aircraft was on its way to Aweil with an intermediate stop in Wau, carrying a load of foods and money for wages on behalf of the World Food Programme (WFP). It was reported that the aircraft was loaded with 8 tons of cargo while the maximum allowable would be 5,5 tons.

Probable cause:

The Commission of Inquiry into the accident with AN-26B aircraft operated by South-West Aviation Co. Ltd, registration number EX-126, concluded that the cause of the accident near Juba, Central Equatorial State, Republic of South Sudan, has not been established. However, the flight was operated by an aircraft without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and by the crew of South-West Aviation Co. Ltd, which did not hold a valid Operator's Certificate.

Final Report:

Crash of a Let L-410UVP off Yirol: 20 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 2018 at 0845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Let L-410

Operator:

Registration:

UR-TWO

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Juba - Yirol

MSN:

84 13 28

YOM:

1984

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to Yiral Airport in poor visibility due to fog, the twin engine aircraft descended too low, impacted the surface of the Yirol Lake and crashed about 2 km north of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and four occupants were rescued while 19 others were killed. A day later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. The three survivors are two children and a Italian doctor. The flight was completed on behalf of the Slaver Company based in Ukraine.

Probable cause:

The committee for the investigations of Slav air let410 aircraft registration UR-TWO has finally concluded that the cause of the accident at Yirol Eastern Lake State Republic of South Sudan was caused by a combination of the following factors:
1. Severely bad weather in the morning of the accident.( Not making a decision to return back to Juba or diverting to the nearest airportRumbek).
2. Pilot incompetency and error in setting the altimeter for Yirol airstrip before the crash. (Causing variations in altitude- flying at false altitude actually below the actual flight level).
3. Replacement of a faulty propeller in Pibor and not informing the safety department of the changes and not being given the release document for operations.

Final Report: