By Philip Buda Ladu
Pitiful South Sudan Airspace has witnessed yet another tragic plane crash at Unity Oil Field, leaving twenty (20) dead, one survived under mystery.
Unity State Minister of Information, Gatwech Biphal Both confirmed the fatal incident to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper via phone from Bentiu yesterday.
He said that 20 persons including 18 passengers and two pilots died when a Ukrainian Passenger Aircraft registration Number 5X-RHB crashed shortly after takeoff at Unity Oil Fields on Wednesday morning around 10:30 am.
The plane operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company and chartered by the oil consortium, the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) went on a special mission from Juba to carry out a routine change of GPOC workers at the oil field.
According to the manifesto seen by this outlet, the ill-fated Aircraft had 21 people on board: 19 passengers and 2 crew members. Among the passengers are 16 South Sudanese, two Chinese nationals and 1 Indian.
However, a South Sudanese engineer working with GPOC at the Oil Field is the only survivor of the fatal plane crash as he has been rushed to Bentiu State Hospital for quick medical attention the information minister had said.
Biphal narrated that the plane had arrived in Unity from Juba on Wednesday morning and loaded people en route to Juba but unfortunately, just a few meters above sea level, it crashed approximately 500 meters away north of Unity oil field airstrip.
“The information I got at the scene is very unfortunate. In fact, the accident happened at 10.30 a.m. The plane crashed 500 meters away from the airport” Biphal stated. “21 people were on board. As for now, there’s only one survivor. This is the latest information” the Minister told this outlet after visiting the crash scene.
Mr. Biphal consoled with the victims stating that the state government is deeply saddened by this tragic accident.
“An investigation team will be informed soon to find out exactly what caused the issue. Although most people predicted that this might be a mechanical collision” the minister added.
The Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chol expressed sadness following the report of this unfortunate sudden incident.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those onboard during this incredibly difficult time particularly those who lost their loved ones.” Puot Kang consoled in a statement to the media from Nairobi.
He said his team is currently working very closely with the local authorities in the emergency service to assess the situation and provide assistance to those affected adding that they are grateful to the people of Unity State for taking it upon themselves to provide the assistance needed.
“An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway and we are fully committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure that thorough examination is conducted,” Puot said. “The company, the Ministry of Petroleum and the government of South Sudan shall work closely with the families of the deceased until the conclusion of this case.”
Unworthy airspace
In August last year, four people sustained minor injuries in an aviation mishap where a private chartered plane crashed in the Mandeng area of Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
The crash is part of a troubling trend in South Sudan Airspace that often saw a spate of aviation incidents.
John David, the former director general of the South Sudan Aviation Authority who announced an investigation into the crash said many of these accidents have been attributed to pilot error rather than technical malfunctions.
“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 earlier stated.
The most recent significant incident prior to the Mandeng crash in 2024 involved a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) plane that crash-landed at Malakal Airport on August 9, 2024. This saw thirty-five people narrowly escaped death in that accident.
Prior to that on August 8, 2024, a cargo aircraft chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP) caught fire after landing in Pieri Payam, Uror County of Jonglei State. The blaze spread to nearby huts, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to others.
In earlier 2024, 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 emerging unharmed.
Furthermore, in March 2021, a plane, L-410, operated by South Supreme Airlines crashed while en route from Uror County to Juba, killing all on board.
In August 2020, eight people died and one passenger survived with injuries when a plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Juba International Airport.
Nineteen people perished in 2018 when a small aircraft carrying passengers from Juba to Yirol crashed.
Also In 2017, 37 people miraculously survived after their plane hit a fire truck on a runway in Wau before bursting into flames.
In 2015, 36 people were killed when a Soviet-era Antonov plane crashed just after takeoff in Juba.
This latest incident comes amidst growing concerns about the safety of air travel in South Sudan, where plane crashes have become alarmingly frequent in recent years.
Aviation experts attribute previous incidents to a combination of factors, including the use of ageing aircraft, inadequate maintenance, overloading, and poor weather conditions.
A key issue that has emerged in the wake of the crashes is the apparent failure of authorities to enforce regulations on aircraft being imported into the country.
Repeated promises to crack down on the use of old planes and improve safety standards at airports have made little progress.
Despite these frequent aircraft crashes people continue to seek aviation services because the poor challenging road infrastructure in South Sudan has made air transport crucial, contributing to the high frequency of aviation incidents in the region.