Sudanese Air Force Flight Not Applicable

Sudanese Air Force — Flight Not Applicable

A Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-26 transport aircraft crashed into a residential area in Omdurman shortly after taking off from Wadi Seidna Air Base. The accident resulted in the deaths of all 17 people on board and at least 29 people on the ground, for a total of 46 fatalities. Among the fatalities was Major General Bahr Ahmed, a senior military commander. Preliminary reports from Sudanese officials suggest the aircraft suffered an unspecified mechanical failure during the initial climb phase.

Aircraft

Antonov An-26

Registration

—

Phase

Cause

Souls on Board

Fatalities

Origin → Dest

Wadi Seidna Air Base, Sudan → Port Sudan Military Airport, Sudan

Report

Investigation Summary

The aircraft was conducting a military transport mission from the Wadi Seidna Air Base, a critical hub for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) located northwest of Khartoum, to Port Sudan. Shortly after departure on February 25, 2025, the crew reportedly encountered technical difficulties. The Antonov An-26 lost control and impacted a residential neighborhood in Omdurman, causing a large fire upon impact. The crash occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing Sudanese civil war, though initial official statements have pointed toward mechanical failure rather than hostile action. The high death toll on the ground was due to the aircraft striking densely populated housing. Rescue operations were complicated by the intensity of the post-crash fire and the active conflict environment in the Khartoum metropolitan area.

Final Conclusions

The investigation is ongoing. As of February 2025, Sudanese officials have attributed the crash to an unknown mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. No final report has been issued.

Photographic Evidence (1)

Alfa Airlines Antonov An-26-100, registration number ST-ARL

Video Analysis

No video analysis linked for this case file yet.

Systems & Failure Modes

Powerplant

The Antonov An-26 is powered by two AI-24VT turboprop engines; investigators are reviewing if a mechanical failure in the propulsion system contributed to the loss of control.

Interesting Facts

01All 17 people on board, including 4 crew members and 13 passengers, were killed.
02At least 29 people on the ground were killed and 10 others were injured.
03Major General Bahr Ahmed, a senior commander in Khartoum, was among the passengers killed.
04The crash occurred in a residential area of northern Omdurman shortly after takeoff from Wadi Seidna Air Base.
05The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire that damaged several homes and caused power outages.
06The Sudanese Ministry of Information confirmed the casualties included high-ranking military officers.

Safety Actions & Advisories

Fleet Inspection

Following the crash, the Sudanese Air Force reportedly ordered a technical review of its remaining Antonov An-26 transport aircraft to identify potential systemic mechanical issues.

Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions

Conflicting Claims of Cause

Reference ↗

While the Sudanese Armed Forces and military sources attributed the crash to a technical failure shortly after takeoff, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed to have downed a military aircraft. However, Al Jazeera reported that the RSF was not present in the specific area of northern Omdurman where the crash occurred, supporting the technical failure narrative.

Location

Omdurman, Sudan · 15.8250, 32.5150

APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the geocoded place name. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.