What happened
A flight departing from Moroni-Hahaya-Iconi-Prince Saïd Ibrahim Airport, destined for Ouani Airport on Anjouan, experienced a critical emergency shortly after departure. While the aircraft type was performing its initial climb from runway 20, the captain notified air traffic control of an ongoing technical issue.
Following the notification, the pilot determined that the aircraft could not safely complete the return to the airport. In an effort to avoid a more dangerous impact, the crew attempted an emergency ditching in the water. The impact occurred approximately 5 km from the airport, roughly 200 meters away from the shoreline.
All 29 occupants on board were successfully rescued from the wreckage. Among the survivors, five individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the ditching was a technical problem identified by the flight crew during the early stages of the climb.