2 fatalities

2010-11-11: Antonov AN-24 (ST-ARQ) — Tarco Air — Zalingei, Sudan

Zalingei, SudanLanding (descent or approach)

On November 11, 2010, an Antonov AN-24 (registration ST-ARQ) operated by Tarco Air was involved in an aviation accident near Zalingei, Sudan during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident cause is a complex set of reasons. The aircraft impacted the ground on three wheels at high forward speed shearing off both engines and propellers and damaging the left main landing gear which put the aircraft in an uncontrollable condition. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781195777Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft landed hard 200 meters past threshold on runway 03 at Zaligei Airport, causing propeller strikes, multiple bounces, engine separation, and a fire. Two passengers were killed, five injured, and 37 escaped unhurt.

Accident Sequence

The crew initiated an approach to Zaligei Airport runway 03 under good weather conditions. The aircraft landed hard 200 meters beyond the runway threshold, causing both propeller blades to strike the ground over a distance of 33 meters. The aircraft bounced and landed a second time 263 meters further, followed by a third touchdown after 15 meters. Upon impact, both engines were torn off, and the aircraft rolled approximately 400 meters before coming to rest and bursting into flames.

Injuries and Damage

Two passengers were killed, and five others were injured. All 37 remaining occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft was totally destroyed by the post-crash fire.

Investigation Findings

The Sudan's Central Directorate of Air Accident Investigation concluded that the probable cause was a complex set of reasons: the aircraft impacted the ground on three wheels at high forward speed, shearing off both engines and propellers and damaging the left main landing gear, which put the aircraft in an uncontrollable condition. Contributory factors included absence of crew coordination, absence of cabin procedures and checklists for different phases of flight, unsatisfactory periodic and annual job checks reflected on inoperative cockpit voice and flight data recorders, and bad planning of the flight with a long period taken to clear recorded defects before departure.