DALLAS – On March 22, a Kenya registered cargo aircraft operated by Trident Airlines (WMN) crashed in the southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, killing all five crew members.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed the crash fall and said an unfortunate aircraft crashed at CEEL XABAALOOW, 24km (15 miles) from Addende International Airport (MGQ) while returning from Dovely.
Ongoing investigation
Somali authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The four deceased crew members have not yet been identified, but the family has been informed.
Meanwhile, the SCAA expressed sadness to the victim's family and confirmed that the aircraft, a Havilland Canada DHC-5D Buffalo with a registered 5Y-RBA, is owned by Kenya operator Trident Aviation Limited.
The flight was off Dovely and on my way to MGQ. The team is currently working to gather more information, but the SCAA said it is confident that the aircraft is being operated and registered in Kenya.
Operation and safety history
Before it crashed, the aircraft had airborne supply for African Union support and stabilization missions for Somali (Ousom) forces deployed in Jubaland. Dhobley is the base of the Kenyan military deployed in Aussom Sector II.
Aging aircraft, harsh operating conditions, and shortages of infrastructure have encouraged repeated aviation accidents in the easternmost countries of the African continent.
In January this year, a careless Kenya cargo flight also crashed during a humanitarian delivery mission on behalf of the World Food Programme (WFP), killing two people. In July 2024, a Harra Air flight crashed in Mogadishu on a domestic route, causing only two people to be injured.
Authorities are still investigating the latest accidents and are investigating possible contributing factors, such as mechanical failures, weather conditions and operational issues.
The featured image shows a De Halivand DHC-5A buffalo similar to the one that was involved in an accident.
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