In brief
In a commendable display of bravery and quick thinking, a pilot successfully crash-landed a Fokker 50 passenger aircraft on a beach close to Mogadishu's international airport after experiencing a technical fault shortly after takeoff. All 55 people on board survived the incident, leading to widespread praise for the pilot from the airline, Starsky Aviation, and authorities. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the malfunction.
An airline in Somalia has praised one of its pilots after he crash-landed his passenger plane, which had suffered a technical fault, on the shoreline next to the capital's international airport with all 55 on board surviving. Starsky Aviation said the pilot's quick thinking was crucial in saving the 50 passengers and five crew.The aircraft, a Fokker 50, reported a problem shortly after take off from Mogadishu on Tuesday, prompting the crew to request a return. The plane subsequently touched down but failed to stop on the runway, overshooting the tarmac before settling in shallow water, according to Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).The exact nature of the fault has yet to be determined. Video footage circulated online depicted passengers disembarking the aircraft and walking away safely from the wreckage located by the Indian Ocean. Reports indicate that no serious injuries were sustained.Emergency and rescue personnel, including personnel from the African Union's mission in Somalia, were rapidly dispatched to the scene, with Somalia’s transport minister also present. Starsky spokesman Hassan Mohamed Aden confirmed all aboard were safe and commended the pilot for his decisive actions during the emergency landing. Investigations are ongoing to fully understand the technical issues that led to the incident.
