1 fatality

Cargo Flight Hydraulic Failure Leads to Runway Excursion at Gondar (ET-AHI)

Gondar, EthiopiaLanding (descent or approach)

On November 8, 1988, a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo (registration ET-AHI) operated by Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Gondar, Ethiopia during landing or approach. One person was killed. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight from Gondar Airport suffered a hydraulic pressure failure after takeoff. Unable to retract landing gear, the crew returned for an emergency landing. The aircraft touched down 400 meters past the runway threshold, veered off, and came to rest in a ditch. One crew member died; three were injured.

Incident Overview

A cargo aircraft operating a flight from Gondar Airport to Addis Ababa experienced a hydraulic pressure failure shortly after takeoff. The crew was unable to raise the landing gear due to the loss of hydraulic power. The captain decided to return to Gondar for an emergency landing.

Landing and Runway Excursion

The aircraft landed with flaps set at 7 degrees, touching down approximately 400 meters beyond the runway threshold. After traveling about 900 meters along the runway, the aircraft veered off the paved surface and came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the runway.

Casualties

One crew member sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Three other crew members were injured.

Investigation

The investigation is focusing on the hydraulic system failure that initiated the event sequence. No other causal factors have been identified in the preliminary assessment.

Operational Context

The flight was a cargo operation between Gondar Airport and Addis Ababa. No information regarding the aircraft type, registration, or operator has been released in the report.