Somalia issues report on plane crash at Mogadishu airport

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The federal government of Somalia has issued a preliminary report on the most recent air crash within the precincts of Aden Adde International Airport, just over three weeks after the country witnessed the scary incident.

In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation noted that the air crash was triggered by heavy winds just around the vicinity of the airport, making the pilot miss the runaway. Wind shear is a change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance, it stated.

The Tanzanian pilot, the statement added, who was flying an E120 aircraft belonging to Halla Airlines, lost control of the plane after it landed due to strong winds it encountered, causing it to break the left main landing gear.

At least 30 people were on board when the aircraft lost direction veering off the runway, with two people suffering injuries in the process.

The investigations are still ongoing before a conclusive report is done for further action and assessment, the report notes. Halla Airlines Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia veered off the runway at Mogadishu Airport, Somalia.

"Thank God, no one died in the plane crash, but there were minor injuries to (2) two passengers of the plane,” the statement said.

Director General at the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Bashir Moalim said the safety of passengers remains their top priority, and that they are committed to investigating the accident "thoroughly and transparently" in accordance with international standards.

"We will continue to keep the public informed of any updates as the investigation progresses. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this unfortunate incident," Moalim added.

The ministry said it will, according to the Civil Aviation Authority Act, issue a final report on the accident within one year, when it studies the information from the Black Box and CVR [Cockpit Voice Recorder] once the general investigation is completed, reports the Star.

The aircraft was flying from Garowe, the regional administrative capital of Puntland, and had been cleared by aviation authorities. In Somalia, air transport is deemed safest given the terror incidents across the country and the fact that most roads are dilapidated.

GAROWE ONLINE