An Antonov An-26 suffered an in-flight loss of the no.1 propeller while flying overhead towards Juba, South Sudan. It was “raining aircraft parts” on Thursday afternoon, an incident which prompted South Sudan Aviation Authority (SSCAA) to ground the aircraft type until further notice. The aircraft landed safely at Juba International Airport, South Sudan.
Pictures taken by locals and posted to socialmedia show the aircraft’s propeller detached from the aircraft and fell metres away from them. More pictures taken after the aircraft landed in Juba International Airport show the aircraft’s left propeller missing.
“Following the repeated inconveniences caused by private companies operating AN 26 aircraft in South Sudan; the Ministry of Transport and the Administration of South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority in their joint meeting held today 20 May 2021, came with a resolution Ordering all the Companies operating AN 26 aircraft to cease operation in South Sudan as from today 20 May 2021, until further notice with an exception of UNMISS/UN,” announced (SSCAA) CEO Subek John David Dada a suspension notice shortly after the incident.
“All the operating Managers of the said AN 26 aircraft are to implement this order without fail. The Manager of Juba international Airport is therefore directed to monitor this order strictly.”
Not the first Incident
On 22 August last year, a South West Aviation An-26 turboprop aircraft, a domestic cargo charter flight crashed upon take off from Juba Airport in Juba, South Sudan, leading to eight fatalities.
In the aftermath of that accident, President Salva Kiir banned aircraft greater than 20 years of age from operating passenger flights.
By Victor Shalton Odhiambo
