What happened
Following the completion of a C-Check maintenance procedure at Bratislava Airport, an aircraft was en route to its home base in Kano, Nigeria, with a scheduled stop in Ghardaïa. During the flight through Niger airspace, the crew was communicating with Niamey Air Traffic Control when they encountered a sand storm. This weather event resulted in a total loss of radio communications between the cockpit and controllers.
Due to the loss of contact and the deteriorating conditions, it is believed the crew had to perform an emergency landing because of a critical lack of fuel. The aircraft reached a desert area situated near the Ganla beacon, south of Niger, to touch down. During the landing sequence, the undercarriage failed, causing the plane to slide several dozen meters across the terrain before stopping. The wreckage was later located approximately 190 km north of Kano.
Findings
- The crew encountered severe weather in the form of a sand storm.
- A total loss of communication with Niamey ATC occurred during the flight.
- A fuel shortage likely necessitated the emergency descent and landing.
- The landing resulted in no fatalities, as both pilots evacuated the aircraft safely, though the airframe was damaged beyond repair.