What happened
On September 27, an HS-748 experienced landing gear failure, resulting in the aircraft resting on its belly. This incident obstructed the sole 1800-metre runway at Lokichoggio. During the period of runway closure, several light aircraft, including a Dornier 228, an Antonov 28, and a Cessna 208, managed to land safely on runway 27. Additionally, two Antonov 12 flights traveling from Torit, Southern Sudan, were forced to divert to Juba after being notified of the runway blockage.
At 14:30 hours, a Transafrik Hercules with registration S9-BAS, operating on behalf of the United Nations World Food Programme, contacted the tower while returning from a food delivery mission in Motot, Southern Sudan. Although air traffic control suggested a diversion to Eldoret International Airport, the pilot chose to proceed to Lokichoggio. The tower granted permission to land on runway 27 at the pilot's discretion.
During the landing sequence, the S9-BAS experienced a very heavy landing short of the runway threshold. The impact caused the upper center section of the fuselage to break apart. The aircraft traveled approximately one kilometre before coming to a stop. Just before the aircraft reached a full halt, its right wing tip struck the disabled HS-748.
All crew members, including the captain, first officer, flight engineer, and two loadmasters, evacuated the aircraft without injury. Following the incident, repair efforts began on the S9-BAS at the airfield in May 2006. While the fuselage was repaired, the contractor departed before the work was finished. By November 2008, the aircraft remained at Lokichoggio, stripped of its engines, vertical stabilizer, and landing gear.
Findings
- The primary cause of the structural damage to the S9-BAS was a heavy landing short of the runway.
- The runway was previously obstructed by an HS-748 that had suffered landing gear failure.