(Posted 09th August 2024)
(Images taken from social media / Voice of Juba)
A Kenyan registered DHC Dash 8-300 had to carry out a belly landing in Malakal / South Sudan, after ‘losing’ both main gears on take off at Maban airstrip from where the flight originated.
(Image taken from social media / The Kenyan Aviator @kenyanaviator)
The aircraft, registered as 5Y-SMI, MSN 404, suffered extensive damage to the hull after executing a belly landing on the Malakal runway where it was awaited by fire and emergency services which had been receiving information from the departure airport, crew and ATC and were prepared for the arrival of the plane.
None of those onboard suffered serious injuries according to reports received from Juba / South Sudan.
The flight, operated for the UN Humanitarian Air Service by Renegade Air of Kenya, carried four crew and 34 passengers.
An air accident investigation is now underway and will no doubt focus on the maintenance records of the aircraft following the drop of the main gear wheels during the take off phase.
Congratulations are in order for the pilots of the aircraft for bringing the plane down in a well executed belly landing, after first burning off fuel before landing. Congratulations also to the fire and emergency services at Malakal airport, which responded well to the incident.
