What happened
During a special flight operating from Khartoum to Tunis, an aircraft encountered severe weather conditions characterized by a heavy sandstorm. As the weather deteriorated, the crew lost their spatial orientation while navigating the storm. The situation became critical when the aircraft began to suffer from a lack of fuel, prompting the crew to attempt an emergency descent.
The aircraft eventually crashed in a desert area situated approximately 100 km southeast of Al Sarah (Majin al Ma`sarah). During the impact, the aircraft's undercarriage and both engines were torn away before the plane came to a complete stop and ignited. The flight was carrying 10 passengers, including high-profile figures, and a crew of three.
Despite the severity of the crash and the subsequent fire, all 10 passengers were successfully rescued from the wreckage. However, the accident resulted in 3 fatalities among the crew members.
Findings
- The crew experienced a loss of orientation due to flying through a sandstorm.
- A fuel shortage necessitated the emergency landing attempt.