What happened
On a scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam intended to serve Lindi and Nachingwea, an ATR 42 diverted to Mtwara due to fuel shortages at the departure airport. The aircraft was carrying 16 passengers and 3 crew members at the time of the incident. Weather conditions at Mtwara were reported as clear with light, variable winds.
During the landing on runway 19, the aircraft touched down approximately 1,000 feet before the runway threshold. After a short ground roll of 150 feet, the plane began to swing toward the left side of the runway. The aircraft then drifted toward the right side for an additional 350 feet before exiting the paved surface. The aircraft skidded for about 180 feet off the runway, eventually coming to a stop at a 135-degree angle from its original landing heading.
The excursion caused the collapse of both landing gear assemblies due to intense side loads. The impact resulted in significant damage to the nacelles and the center section of the airframe, along with damage to the port propeller. All occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft with assistance from ground rescue teams. There were 0 fatalities, though 2 passengers required hospital treatment for shock.
Findings
The accident was primarily driven by the pilot's failure to take corrective steering actions to keep the aircraft within the runway boundaries after touchdown.