What happened
During an approach to Gao Airport, the aircraft touched down on runway 01L, but failed to decelerate sufficiently before the end of the pavement. The aircraft continued past the runway threshold, traveling approximately 500 meters into a nearby ravine. Upon exiting the runway environment, the plane struck the terrain and caught fire. While rescue operations were able to save some individuals, the accident resulted in at least two fatalities among the crew. The exact total of casualties remains unconfirmed by authorities.
Findings
Preliminary investigations suggest that the aircraft made contact with the runway surface significantly past the midpoint of the available pavement. This long touchdown drastically reduced the remaining distance available for braking. The crew was unable to bring the plane to a halt within the remaining runway length, leading to the excursion. At the time of the incident, the aircraft was part of the Malian Air Force fleet, having been transferred to the military by the Wagner Group roughly one week earlier. Reports from Malian officials indicate that members of the Wagner Group were among the passengers on board during the flight.