Authorities are investigating the crash of a Kenyan-registered aircraft southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, which claimed the lives of all five people on board.
The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed the accident on Saturday, March 22, stating that the DHC-5D Buffalo aircraft, registered as 5Y-RBA and operated by Trident Aviation Limited, crashed around 5:43 p.m. local time while returning from Dhobley town in the Lower Juba region. The aircraft was transporting supplies to African Union forces before the tragic incident occurred.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and aviation authorities are working to determine what led to the fatal accident. The plane was on its final approach to Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu when it went down approximately 24 kilometers from its destination.
Somali officials noted that poor road infrastructure often makes air transport a preferred option, though the country has witnessed multiple aircraft accidents in recent years. Experts attribute these incidents to aging aircraft, limited infrastructure, and challenging operating conditions.
This marks the latest in a series of aviation tragedies in Somalia. In January 2024, another Kenyan cargo plane crashed while delivering humanitarian aid, killing two people. Later in July 2024, a domestic flight operated by Halla Airlines crash-landed at Aden Adde International Airport, leaving two injured.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing to prevent future occurrences.
