What happened
During an arrival at Aweil Airport, an aircraft engaged in a refugee transport mission experienced a mechanical failure immediately following touchdown. The left main landing gear collapsed as the plane made contact with the runway. This failure caused the aircraft to veer toward the left side of the airstrip, where it slid across soft terrain for several dozen meters.
The excursion ended when the aircraft came to a stop within nearby bushes, an impact that resulted in the left wing being torn from the airframe. Despite the structural damage to the aircraft type, no fire broke out during the incident. The aircraft was being operated under contract for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Government of South Sudan to transport refugees to the area.
All 57 occupants were able to evacuate the plane without being trapped. While the majority of the passengers and crew escaped unharmed, one passenger sustained minor injuries during the event. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the collapse of the left main landing gear upon touchdown.