What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from Addis Ababa-Bole Airport, the flight crew identified a mechanical issue involving the undercarriage that prevented it from being retracted into the fuselage. In response to this technical difficulty, the decision was made to abort the mission and return to the airport for an emergency landing.
Upon reaching the runway, the aircraft experienced a secondary failure within its hydraulic systems. This malfunction prevented the crew from effectively utilizing braking capabilities, resulting in the plane being unable to halt before the end of the paved surface. As the aircraft overran the runway, the landing gear was torn from the airframe. The incident resulted in the total loss of the aircraft, which was deemed beyond repair. All 76 occupants were successfully evacuated from the wreckage, though six passengers sustained minor injuries during the event.
Findings
Investigations into the accident centered on the mechanical failures experienced during both the climb and the landing roll. The primary factor identified was a failure of the hydraulic systems, which directly contributed to the loss of braking control during the runway excursion.