10 fatalities

Aircraft Crashes Near Kapoeta After Navigation and Fuel Issues (ST-AAY)

Kapoeta, South SudanFlight

On December 6, 1971, a Fokker F27 Friendship (registration ST-AAY) operated by Sudan Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Kapoeta, South Sudan in flight. 10 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A flight en route from Khartoum to Malakal diverted to Juba after failing to receive a beacon, then crashed near Kapoeta due to fuel shortage.

Incident Overview

An aircraft en route from Khartoum to Malakal experienced navigation difficulties and was diverted to Juba, but ultimately crashed in a wooded area near Kapoeta. The crew was unable to receive the Malakal NDB, prompting the captain to decide on a diversion to Juba. For reasons not specified, the crew also could not receive the Juba NDB. Facing a fuel shortage, the crew attempted an emergency landing, during which the aircraft crashed.

Casualties and Evacuation

Local guerilla members evacuated 32 wounded individuals from the crash site. Ten other people were killed, including the captain, Mr. Westwood.

Circumstances

The flight was originally destined for Malakal. The inability to receive navigation beacons at both Malakal and Juba led to the diversion and subsequent fuel shortage. The emergency landing attempt ended in a crash in a wooded area near Kapoeta.