FILE PHOTO
Just southwest of Somalia’s coastal capital, on a Saturday afternoon that unfolded like any other, a tragedy emerged from the skies. Twenty-four kilometers from Mogadishu, a cargo aircraft, registered in Kenya, met its ill fate, resulting in the sorrowful demise of five individuals on board. This grim narrative, marked by profound loss, not only caught the world’s attention but prompted a painstaking investigation by the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA).
On March 22, the SCAA somberly confirmed the crash that claimed the lives of all crew members onboard, stating that they perished “tragically” upon impact. The collective grief of this announcement rippled through Somalia and beyond, enveloping the families of the victims in an unfathomable sorrow. As these hearts heavy with loss began to grapple with the reality, one could only wonder, what happened up there?
The full story is shrouded in mystery, with the true cause of the crash yet to surface. What we do know is that this ill-fated voyage began its final chapter in Dhobley town, nestled in the Lower Juba region. The aircraft had just completed a mission, delivering essential supplies to the African Union (AU) forces stationed there. Known as the headquarters of AUSSOM, troops from Kenya, operating actively within Sector II in Jubaland state, call this place home.
For those well-versed in aviation, the aircraft in question wasn’t just a random craft. It was a DHC-5D Buffalo, bearing the serial number 109 and registered as 5Y-RBA. A workhorse by design, the Buffalo is renowned for its short-takeoff-and-landing prowess, capable of navigating the demanding terrains and remote vistas that characterize much of Somalia’s landscape. Yet, even the most prepared aircraft can fall prey to the unpredictable nature of air travel.
The moment of silence observed for these lives was not confined to borders. Trident Aviation Limited, the Kenyan company owning the plane, found itself grieving alongside the global community. Despite the attempts of the aviation teams to piece together this somber puzzle at Aden Adde International Airport, the clarity they seek remains elusive.
Given Somalia’s struggles with an often hazardous road network, air travel stands as a preferred mode of transportation, offering a veil of safety and speed amid a backdrop of insecurity. Yet, this recent event hints at rising concerns regarding aviation safety across the region. Air tragedies like this are not new to Somalia, painting a precarious picture of its aviation history. In a January 2024 incident, another Kenyan aircraft succumbed to misfortune while delivering humanitarian aid for the World Food Programme. Critical supplies never reached the hands they were destined for, as the aircraft made its disastrous descent.
Fast forward to July 2024, and yet another unsettling incident unfolded. A domestic flight from Garowe to Mogadishu, operated by Halla Airlines, faced its own adversity, crash-landing at the same terminal – Aden Adde International. Though this episode spared lives with only two injuries, it acted as another reminder of the trials facing aviation in this beautiful yet challenging land.
Such encounters with the harsh realities of flying in Somalia prompt many of us to reflect. What is it about this environment that turns the vast blue sky into a canvas for danger? Experts echo concerns over aging aircraft, inadequate infrastructure, and do much-needed conditions. Against such a backdrop, every flight becomes a tapestry of hope and uncertainty, a gamble between the known and the unknown.
As the investigations unfold, we are left with that timeless and human trait of hope – a hope for answers, for closure, and perhaps, most importantly, for change. Because, as beloved American writer Maya Angelou once said, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
May the search for answers not only illuminate this tragedy but also serve as a beacon for the future of air travel, ensuring safety and fostering progress above the skies of Somalia and beyond.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
