Incident Details
During the final segment of the approach to Silimo Airstrip, an aircraft lost altitude and struck the ground a few meters before the threshold of runway 05. The airplane then veered left out of control and came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the runway. All three occupants evacuated unharmed, but the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Airstrip Characteristics
Silimo Airstrip has a 560-meter long, 20-meter wide gravel surface with a gradient of 9 degrees. The surrounding environmental topography precludes the possibility of executing a go-around on short final. Additionally, the area is known for strong currents that can shift rapidly and violently.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the loss of height on short final was likely the result of a sudden change in wind direction and speed.