SOMALIA – A Kenya cargo plane crashed the southwest part of Mogadishu (MGQ) on Saturday, killing all five people inside the ship. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has confirmed that an incident occurred about 24 kilometers from the capital.
The Horn of Africa region continues to face aviation safety challenges. Experts attribute high accident rates to older aircraft fleets, limited infrastructure, and difficult operating conditions to test even experienced pilots.
Details of Kenya freight plane crash
The DHC 5D Buffalo aircraft operated by Trident Aviation lost contact with air traffic control before crashing at 14:43 UTC.
When the disaster struck, the flight departed from Doburi (HCDB) in the Lower Juba region and headed to Aden Abdul International Airport in Mogadishu (MGQ).
“The Somali Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed a tragic aircraft crash drop 24km southwest of Mogadishu. The DHC-5D Buffalo (5Y-RBA), operated by TridentAviation Ltd, crashed on the way from Dovely to Aden Ade International Airport.
– Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA)
Unconfirmed reports suggest that four of the deceased were Kenyan nationals.
The DHC-5D Buffalo is specially designed for short-off and landing operations and is suitable for transporting cargo far away on challenging terrain like the Dovely that supports the peacekeeping mission of the African Union.
Recent aviation accidents in Somalia
Earlier this year, another Kenyan freight aircraft crashed in Somalia, killing two people. According to Somalia's UN support mission, the plane was carrying humanitarian supplies for global food programs when it left the runway moment before landing.
In July, a domestic Halla Airlines (HGA) flight from Garowe (GGR) to Mogadishu (MGQ) to Mogadishu (MGQ) experienced a runway excursion at Aden Adde International Airport. The Embraer Emb 120 Brasilia aircraft suffered from a collapse of the landing gear due to wind shear, causing two passengers to be injured.
History of Kenya's aviation accidents
Kenya has experienced several important aviation incidents over the years. The country's geographical location as a transport hub in East Africa means that its aircraft operate frequently across the region, including challenging regions like Somalia.
Kenya Airlines faces scrutiny regarding maintenance standards and operational safety, particularly for older aircraft serving remote locations. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has implemented stricter regulations following several well-known incidents, but cargo operations, especially in conflict-affected areas, have challenges.
The transnational nature of these flights complicates investigation and surveillance as aircraft registered in Kenya often operate in neighbouring countries with various safety standards and infrastructure restrictions.
Authorities in both Kenya and Somali have launched an investigation into this latest crash. The recovery team arrived at the site, obtained the bodies and gathered evidence to determine the cause of the accident.
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