Pilot killed, 2 injured after cargo plane crash-lands in Somalia
The crash-landing impacted a house near Ceelbarde Airstrip, the Aviation Safety Network said.
A pilot was killed on Thursday when a cargo plane crashed-landed in El Barde town, Somalia.
A report published by the Aviation Safety Network (ASN) said the incident occurred near Ceel Barde [El Barde] Airstrip, and identified Jetways Airlines as the owner of the aircraft, registration 5Y-JWG.
"A Fokker 50 impacted a house near Ceel Barde Airstrip," the report said, adding the damage was substantial.
In a statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said the UN had contracted the cargo plane and that it crash-landed on an airstrip in El-Barde in Somalia’s South West State.
"The aircraft was transporting humanitarian supplies for the World Food Programme when it veered off the runway. Initial reports indicate there was one fatality and two people injured," UNSOM said. "The United Nations is working with the contracted airline company and federal and South West State authorities to investigate the incident."
An aviation source in Somalia, who did not wish to be named, told The Eastleigh Voice that "El Barde airport has a short runway and is close to residential houses".
Jetways Airlines was not immediately available for comment, but another aviation source, speaking from Nairobi, confirmed the company owned the aircraft.
"The plane probably overshot the runaway when landing. A Kenyan pilot died. The flight engineer and co-pilot were injured," said the source who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the media.
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