On July 8, 2003, a Boeing 737-200 (registration ST-AFK) operated by Sudan Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Port Sudan, Sudan during landing or approach. 116 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of one engine during initial climb for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft on a scheduled flight to Khartoum crashed on approach to Port Sudan after reporting technical problems. One engine failed during initial climb for unknown reasons. One occupant was injured; 116 were killed.
Flight and Accident
The aircraft departed Port Sudan Airport at 0407LT on a scheduled service to Khartoum with 105 passengers and 11 crew members on board. During climbout, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing on runway 33. On final approach in limited visibility, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed about 5 km from the runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces.
Occupants and Casualties
A boy aged two was injured. The other 116 occupants were killed, among them eight EU citizens and one high ranking officer of the Sudan Army.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be failure of one engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.
What happened in the 8 Jul 2003 Boeing 737-200 accident near Port Sudan, Sudan?
An aircraft on a scheduled flight to Khartoum crashed on approach to Port Sudan after reporting technical problems. One engine failed during initial climb for unknown reasons. One occupant was injured; 116 were killed.
Were there any fatalities in the 8 Jul 2003 Boeing 737-200 accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 116 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Jul 2003 involved a Boeing 737-200, registration ST-AFK, operated by Sudan Airways, at Port Sudan, Sudan.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failure of one engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…
