What happened
A twin-engine aircraft departed from Hassai Airstrip on a scheduled charter mission bound for Port Sudan. The flight was transporting two pilots and nine employees of the Ariab Mining Company.
During the initial climb following takeoff, the aircraft experienced a loss of power in its right engine. In response to the mechanical failure, the crew decided to attempt an emergency return to the airfield. During the landing sequence, the aircraft performed a belly landing and slid across the terrain for several dozen meters. The descent ended when the right wing made contact with a rock, resulting in the wing being severed from the fuselage. This impact caused fuel to leak and subsequently ignite.
The resulting fire consumed the wreckage, leading to the deaths of all 11 occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the engine failure was a result of a fuel pump malfunction. The failure of this component was attributed to inadequate maintenance procedures.