Investigation Summary
The aircraft was performing a domestic cargo charter flight carrying food, motorcycles, car parts, and 16 bags of cash for the Opportunity Bank. Shortly after departing runway 31, the aircraft lost height and impacted a farm in the Hai Referendum residential area, approximately 4 kilometers northwest of the airport. A post-impact fire destroyed the wreckage. While eyewitnesses suggested a loss of power, the official investigation by South Sudan's Aircraft Accident Incident Investigation Department (AAIID) could not definitively establish the technical cause of the crash. However, the investigation highlighted severe regulatory breaches: the aircraft was operating without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, and South West Aviation was operating without a valid Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). Furthermore, reports from the aircraft's previous operator, Gateway Export Aviation, alleged the aircraft had been misappropriated and was carrying 8,000 kg of cargo, well above the 5,500 kg limit.
Final Conclusions
The Commission of Inquiry concluded that the specific cause of the accident could not be established. However, it formally noted that the flight was operated in violation of aviation regulations, specifically regarding the lack of a valid Certificate of Airworthiness for the airframe and the lack of a valid Operator's Certificate for South West Aviation.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Ivchenko AI-24 Engines
The turboprop engines that powered the An-26; eyewitnesses reported a sudden loss of power during the climb.
Weight and Balance
The aircraft was allegedly overloaded by 2.5 tons, which would have severely degraded climb performance.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying 16 bags of cash intended for bank wages in Wau and Aweil.
- 02The aircraft was reportedly loaded with 8 tons of cargo, exceeding the maximum allowable limit of 5.5 tons.
- 03The operator, South West Aviation, did not hold a valid Air Operator's Certificate at the time of the crash.
- 04The aircraft, manufactured in 1981, did not have a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
- 05One passenger survived the crash while 8 other occupants were killed.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Age-Based Flight Ban
Following a previous South West Aviation crash in 2018, the South Sudanese government had banned aircraft older than 20 years from passenger operations, though this flight was operating as cargo.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Aircraft Misappropriation Claims
Reference ↗Gateway Export Aviation, an operator from the DRC, claimed the aircraft had been misappropriated by its owner for use by South West Aviation without proper authorization.