On March 23, 1993, a Fokker F27 Friendship (registration ST-AWA) operated by Air West Express was involved in an aviation accident near Hareto, Ethiopia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left engine in flight due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft with 35 occupants made an emergency landing in a plantation after left engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. All occupants were uninjured, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Incident Overview
While cruising between Dar es-Salaam and Addis Ababa, the crew encountered unfavorable winds, causing the aircraft to deviate from its prescribed course. Subsequently, the left engine failed in flight. The crew reduced altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a plantation located in the Hareto region.
Emergency Landing
Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck obstacles, resulting in the left wing being partially torn off. All 35 occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the left engine failure was attributed to fuel exhaustion.