Investigation Summary
The aircraft, a 44-year-old Soviet-era turboprop, was leased by Allied Services Ltd from Tajikistan's Asia Airways. Although registered as a cargo flight, it is common practice in South Sudan for security services and logistics companies to place family members and oil workers on such flights, often bypassing official manifests. On the morning of the accident, the pilot reported 12 passengers to Air Traffic Control, but recovery efforts revealed at least 37 passengers were on board. The aircraft struggled to gain altitude immediately after departing runway 13, traveling only about 800 to 1,100 meters before impacting terrain. The manufacturer, Antonov, later stated the aircraft was not airworthy at the time of the crash because the owner had failed to comply with mandatory technical servicing and life-extension procedures.
Final Conclusions
The crash was attributed to the aircraft being significantly overloaded, which prevented it from maintaining a safe climb gradient after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the operation of an aircraft that had not undergone required maintenance to extend its service life, rendering it technically unairworthy according to the manufacturer.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Weight and Balance
The aircraft was reportedly carrying significantly more passengers and cargo than its maximum takeoff weight allowed, degrading climb performance.
Airworthiness Certification
The manufacturer noted the airframe had exceeded its service life without the required inspections and maintenance to legally extend its operation.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was built in 1971 by TAPOiCh in the Soviet Union.
- 02There were three initial survivors: passenger Wuor Arop, a 13-month-old infant, and a crew member who died later in the hospital.
- 03The crew consisted of six members: five Armenians and one Russian.
- 04The aircraft was leased from Tajikistan-based Asia Airways.
- 05Antonov stated the aircraft had not undergone timely technical servicing to extend its operational resources.
- 06Total fatalities include individuals on the ground in the farming community where the wreckage came to rest.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Regulatory Oversight
The accident highlighted the systemic issue of unmanifested passengers on cargo flights in South Sudan, leading to calls for stricter enforcement of aviation manifests and weight limits.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the wikidata coordinate. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.