32 fatalities

2012-08-19: Antonov AN-26 (ST-ARL) — Alfa Airlines — Talodi, Sudan

Talodi, SudanLanding (descent or approach)

On August 19, 2012, an Antonov AN-26 (registration ST-ARL) operated by Alfa Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Talodi, Sudan during landing or approach. 32 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) after the crew descended too low on final approach, due to low visibility and poor weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781194688Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft carrying a delegation of Sudanese government officials crashed on approach to Talodi Airport during a sandstorm. All 32 occupants were killed. Officials determined the cause was controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low.

Accident

The aircraft was operating a flight from Khartoum to Talodi carrying a delegation of 26 members of the Sudanese Government, including ministers, generals, and politicians. On approach to Talodi Airport in poor weather conditions due to a sand storm, the crew initiated a go-around procedure. The aircraft then impacted the slope of Mt Hagar al Nar, a hill 244 metres high located 1,500 metres south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire.

Victims

All 32 occupants were killed. The official list of passengers and crew includes: Guidance and Religious Endowments Minister Ghazi al-Sadiq Abdel Rahim, Justice Party chairman Makki Ali Balayil, State minister at the Youth and Sports Ministry Mahjub Abdel Rahim Tutu, State minister at the Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife Issa Daifallah, Maj. Gen. Salah Ismail (Air Forces), Maj. Gen. Ahmed Musa Ahmed (Police Forces), Maj. Gen. Ahmed Al-Tayeb Abu-Guroon (Security and Intelligence Organ), Brigadier Lugman Omer (Second Commander of the People's Defence Forces), Al-Saddiq Abdul-Majid Al-Makkawi (People's Defence Forces), Awadal-Karim Siral-Khatim (Deputy Coordinator of the People's Defence Forces), Waeez Salaha Omer (Headquarters of the People's Defence Forces), Omer Mahjoub Ahmed (Deputy Coordinator of the People's Defence Forces), Salah-Eddin Mustafa (People's Defence Forces – Jabal Aulia Locality), several officials from Khartoum (including Hamid Al-Aghbash of the National Assembly), five media representatives, and six crew members.

Investigation

Although rebels claimed two days later they shot down the aircraft, the Sudanese Government stated that visibility was low at the time of the accident, with clouds at low height and poor weather conditions. Accordingly, officials said the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) after the crew descended too low on final approach.

Probable cause

Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) after the crew descended too low on final approach, due to low visibility and poor weather conditions.