Somali Airlines | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Ten minutes after takeoff from Hargeisa Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a desert area. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 30 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile shot by rebels of the National Movement of Somalia (NMS).

Crash of a Boeing 707-330B in Nairobi

Date & Time: May 17, 1989

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 707

Operator:

Registration:

6O-SBT

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Nairobi - Mogadishu

MSN:

19316

YOM:

1967

Location:

Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta (ex Embakasi)

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen meters past the runway end. All 70 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 600RF in Balad: 50 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Fokker F27 Friendship

Operator:

Registration:

6O-SAY

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Mogadishu - Hargeisa

MSN:

10557

YOM:

1977

Location:

Balad

Shabeellaha Dhexe (شبيلي الوسطى‎)

Country:

Somalia

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

6087

Aircraft flight cycles:

2777

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Mogadishu Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane entered a thunderstorm area with heavy rain falls and severe turbulences. The airplane went out of control and entered a dive. Due to excessive g loads, the right wing detached then the airplane crashed in a field located near Balad, about 38 km northeast of Mogadishu Airport, eight minutes after takeoff. All 50 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that aircraft had entered a spiral dive after encountering strong vertical gusts. Loads during the dive increased to approximately 5.76 g, exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft and causing its right wing to separate. The flight crew were believed to have erred in taking off during known thunderstorm conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Bosaso

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

6O-SAC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bosaso - Gaalkacyo - Mogadishu

MSN:

20424

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

At takeoff from Bosaso-Bender Qaasim Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The airplane stalled, struck the runway surface and crashed. All 11 occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The left engine failed because the fuel was contaminated with water. The crew was unable to maintain a safe rate of climb because of a high aircraft weight and a high OAT.

Crash of a Vickers 785D Viscount in Mogadishu: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Viscount

Operator:

Registration:

6O-AAJ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

379

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

26135

Aircraft flight cycles:

22100

Circumstances:

A fire erupted under the cabin floor on final approach and the pilots experienced a complete loss of control. However, the airplane continued the approach and landed hard, nose first, on runway 24 at a speed of 130 knots. On impact, the nose gear was torn off and the airplane slid for 900 meters before coming to rest in flames. 25 occupants were injured while five children remained in the cabin and died.

Probable cause:

Intense fire of unknown nature and origin (beneath the floor at row 6) which probably resulted in loss of flight controls.