What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from Jeddah-King Abdulaziz Airport, the flight crew identified mechanical issues and notified air traffic control. Consequently, the aircraft was authorized to perform an emergency landing at the departure airport.
As the aircraft approached runway 33L for its final approach, the co-pilot configured the flaps to a 17° setting. Although the landing itself was executed successfully on the runway surface, the aircraft failed to maintain its centerline after touchdown. The plane drifted toward the left side of the runway and encountered rocky terrain. This impact resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear, causing the aircraft to come to a stop.
There were no fatalities among the 15 occupants, all of whom evacuated the aircraft without injury. While the passengers and crew were safe, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
Investigations into the incident revealed that an engine malfunction occurred because an exhaust valve in the number one cylinder remained stuck in the open position. Additionally, investigators noted that the crew was not aware of a failure within the hydraulic system, which served as a contributing factor to the event.