By Deng Ghai Deng
Four people sustained minor injuries on Monday in another aviation mishap where a private chartered plane crashed in the Mandeng area of Nasir County.
John David, Director of the South Sudan Aviation Authority, confirmed the incident and announced that investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.
David revealed that the accident occurred during takeoff, but the precise cause remains unclear as authorities await a full report.
“There were some injuries to the four people involved, but fortunately, they are minor and not serious,” David said. “They will be evacuated today.”
The crash is part of a troubling trend in South Sudan, where recent weeks have seen a spate of aviation incidents.
David noted that many of these accidents have been attributed to pilot error rather than technical malfunctions.
He urged aviation companies to rigorously vet their pilots and ensure that they are fit for operation.
“We are going to act on this by warning all companies to check their crews and documents. Fatigue and lack of refreshment can lead to serious misjudgments,” David added.
The most recent significant incident prior to Monday’s crash involved a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) plane that crash-landed at Malakal Airport on August 9.
Thirty-five people narrowly escaped death in that accident.
Another recent accident occurred on August 8, when a cargo aircraft chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP) caught fire after landing in Pieri Payam, Uror County, Jonglei State. The blaze spread to nearby huts, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to others.
Earlier this year, a military cargo plane crashed at Yida airstrip in the Ruweng Administrative Area in March, and a passenger aircraft operated by Africano Company crash-landed at Malakal Airport in February with no reported injuries.
A notable accident in April 2023 saw a cargo plane crash-land at Juba International Airport, with all passengers unharmed.
A similar incident occurred in 2021 with a Let L-410 Turbolet of South Sudan Supreme Airlines, which crashed during a domestic flight to Yuai airstrip, again with no casualties.
The deadliest recent crash occurred in August 2020, when a cargo plane crashed into a farm in the Kemeru area shortly after takeoff from Juba International Airport, killing eight people, with only one survivor.
The challenging road infrastructure in South Sudan has made air transport crucial, contributing to the high frequency of aviation incidents in the region.