Incident Overview
An aircraft operating with the registration N726CK, while registered to a Kenyan operator with a 7Q registration (Malawi), was shot down by Sudan Armed Forces upon landing at night on runway 04 at Nyala Airport. The aircraft veered off the runway to the left and crashed into a ditch located 900 meters past the runway threshold, bursting into flames.
Damage and Casualties
The aircraft was totally destroyed. All 19 occupants were killed, among them 17 members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including Abdul Rahim Wad Abuk, uncle of Hemedti, commander of the RSF.
Official Account
The Sudan Government reported that the aircraft was shot down because it was suspected of carrying weapons and army equipment on behalf of the rebels.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause, as stated by the investigation, is that the aircraft was shot down by the Sudan Armed Forces.