Investigation Summary
The flight, designated ZY001, was a government mission originating in Khartoum with an intermediate stop in Malakal before proceeding to Nasir. On board were several senior members of the Sudanese government and military. During the final approach to Nasir, the pilots encountered low visibility and inclement weather. Despite these conditions, the crew continued the approach but failed to achieve a proper touchdown point, landing deep into the available runway length. The aircraft overran the threshold and slid into the adjacent Sobat River. While many occupants survived the initial impact and were rescued, 27 individuals (though some sources report 26), including three crew members and 24 passengers, lost their lives. The Sudanese government attributed the crash to fog and strong winds, though the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) briefly claimed they had shot down the aircraft, a claim that was not supported by the physical evidence of a runway excursion.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by the flight crew's decision to continue a landing approach in poor weather that resulted in a touchdown too far down the runway. This reduced the available landing distance to a point where a runway excursion became inevitable. The presence of the Sobat River at the end of the runway significantly increased the lethality of the overshoot, as many victims drowned.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Antonov An-32 Braking System
The aircraft was unable to decelerate sufficiently after a deep touchdown on a runway shortened by environmental conditions.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash killed Vice President Zubair Mohamed Salih and other senior government leaders.
- 02The aircraft was an Antonov An-32, although some early reports misidentified it as an An-26.
- 03Most of the fatalities were caused by drowning in the Sobat River.
- 04The Sudanese government cited fog and strong winds as the primary environmental factors.
- 05The aircraft was manufactured in 1991 and carried Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 29 02.
- 06The flight originated in Khartoum with an intermediate stop in Malakal.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Weather Advisory and Official Attribution
Following the accident, the Sudanese government officially attributed the crash to severe environmental factors, specifically fog and strong winds, to counter claims of military action and emphasize the hazards of landing in poor visibility at remote strips like Nasir.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
SPLA Attack Claim
Reference ↗The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) claimed they had attacked and brought down the aircraft, contradicting the government's report of a weather-related runway excursion.