ISLAMABAD: A Fokker 50 passenger aircraft operated by Starsky Aviation crash-landed in shallow waters near Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport on Tuesday after a technical malfunction forced an emergency return, but remarkably no injuries were reported among the 55 people on board in what aviation officials described as a fortunate outcome.
The incident unfolded shortly after the domestic flight departed from the Somali capital bound for the northern city of Gaalkacyo. Approximately 15 minutes into the journey, the crew detected a technical problem and promptly requested permission to return to the airport, according to statements from Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority.
Ahmed Macalin Hassan, director of the Civil Aviation Authority, explained that the pilot executed an attempted landing on the runway but the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently, resulting in a runway overrun. The plane continued beyond the tarmac and came to rest partially submerged in shallow seawater along the nearby shoreline adjacent to the Indian Ocean.
Visual evidence shared on social media depicted passengers calmly disembarking from the aircraft, wading through knee-deep water to safety as rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene. Authorities confirmed that all 50 passengers and five crew members were accounted for without any serious harm, highlighting the effectiveness of the emergency procedures followed.
The aircraft involved, registered as 6O-YAS, sustained substantial damage during the overrun, including visible structural compromise to parts such as the wings and fuselage, as observed in photographs from the site. The Fokker 50, a twin-turboprop model known for regional operations in challenging environments, was left tilted in the tidal area with its nose partially buried in the sand and water.
Somali transportation minister Mohamed Farah Nuh praised the rapid response by rescue personnel who ensured everyone was evacuated promptly and transported for medical checks, where only minor issues were noted and treated on site. The minister emphasized that the incident underscored the importance of crew training in handling unforeseen mechanical failures.
Experts familiar with aviation safety noted that runway overruns remain a significant risk category globally, often linked to factors like contaminated runways, incorrect speed calculations or aircraft performance limitations following technical issues. In this case, the proximity of the runway end to the shoreline amplified the potential severity, yet the shallow depth mitigated more catastrophic outcomes.
Somalia’s aviation sector has faced ongoing challenges due to infrastructure limitations, security concerns and the reliance on older aircraft types for domestic connectivity. Aden Abdulle International Airport, also known as Aden Adde, serves as the primary hub for internal flights connecting remote regions like Gaalkacyo amid the country’s fragile recovery from prolonged conflict.
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The Civil Aviation Authority has initiated a formal investigation to determine the precise nature of the technical fault and any contributing factors to the overrun. Preliminary reports suggest a malfunction shortly after takeoff prompted the return, but further analysis of flight data recorders and crew statements will be required.
Starsky Aviation, a local carrier operating regional services within Somalia, commended the pilot’s composure and decision-making, which the airline credited with preventing loss of life. Such incidents, while rare, often lead to reviews of maintenance protocols and operational standards in resource-constrained environments.
This event draws parallels to previous aviation occurrences in the Horn of Africa region, where environmental conditions and aircraft age can compound operational risks. However, the zero-fatality result has been hailed by observers as a testament to professional handling under pressure.
Authorities have temporarily suspended operations of the affected aircraft pending recovery and detailed examination. Airport activities continued with adjustments to accommodate the incident site, ensuring minimal disruption to other flights.
The safe evacuation has provided a measure of relief in a nation where air travel remains essential for linking isolated communities, despite persistent challenges in aviation infrastructure and regulation.
