6 DEAD AND PRECIOUS AID CARGO LOST AS AIRCRAFT IS SHOT DOWN ON FINAL APPROACH
(Posted 05th May 2020)
An Embraer 120 turbo prop aircraft, coming from Ethiopia and carrying urgently needed medical and other supplies to the Somali town of Baidoa, was yesterday shot down by what has been described as ‘friendly fire‘.
Two pilots, an engineer and three others on board were killed on impact.
The aircraft, owned and operated by Kenya’s African Express Airways and registered as 5Y-AXO, had joined the airline in 2013 and was used for both passenger and cargo flights. The aircraft had been chartered by an NGO to bring relief goods to Baidoa.
Now just over 28 years old was the twin engined turboprop aircraft manufactured under MSN 120259, indicating it was the 259th such aircraft assembled in Brazil at the time.
No explanation was given by the time of going to press by the Somali government as to who fired at the approaching aircraft or who had given the orders to do so and Kenyan authorities have already demanded full details as an angry aviation fraternity seeks answers.
ATCNews extends condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who perished in the crash.
