MOGADISHU, SOMALIA – A commercial aircraft carrying 55 individuals crashed on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, shortly after departing from Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. All 52 passengers and three crew members aboard the Jubba Airways Fokker 50 aircraft survived the incident, which saw the plane break apart after veering off the runway.

The incident occurred as the aircraft, identified as flight 189, was attempting to take off for a domestic flight within Somalia. Reports from the scene indicate the plane veered sharply to the right of the runway before crashing and coming to rest beyond the airport perimeter. Visual evidence, including photographs shared by local media and officials, depicted the aircraft’s fuselage separated into multiple sections, with significant structural damage to the wings and tail. Despite the severe impact, the emergency response by airport and local authorities was swift.

Airport fire and rescue teams, alongside local security forces, were immediately deployed to the crash site. Their rapid intervention facilitated the prompt evacuation of all occupants. Officials confirmed that while several individuals received medical attention for minor injuries, there were no fatalities. The successful evacuation and survival of all on board represent a notable outcome in what appeared to be a high-severity aviation incident.

Abdirahman K. Omar, the Director of Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), confirmed the event and the full survival rate. He praised the coordinated efforts of emergency services and announced that a comprehensive investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause of the crash. The aircraft was scheduled to fly from Mogadishu to Bardere in the Gedo region before continuing to Hargeisa.

Key details surrounding the incident are as follows:

  • Date of Incident: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
  • Location: Aden Adde International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • Airline: Jubba Airways, operating Flight 189
  • Aircraft Type: Fokker 50
  • Total Occupants: 55 individuals (52 passengers, 3 crew members)
  • Outcome: All 55 occupants survived; some sustained minor injuries.
  • Flight Path: Domestic flight from Mogadishu to Bardere, then Hargeisa.
  • Nature of Incident: Aircraft veered off the runway during takeoff, resulting in its disintegration beyond the airstrip.

Investigators from the SCAA and other relevant agencies have secured the crash site to begin their detailed examination. The inquiry will focus on analyzing various factors, including the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilots' actions, air traffic control communications, and environmental conditions at the time of takeoff. Data from the aircraft's flight recorders, once recovered and analyzed, will be crucial in reconstructing the final moments of the flight.

The SCAA reiterated its commitment to upholding international aviation safety standards and ensuring that the findings from this investigation contribute to preventing future occurrences. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not yet provided a timeframe for its completion or speculated on potential causes. Further information will be released as the inquiry progresses.