A Somali airline has publicly commended a pilot after he successfully crash-landed a passenger aircraft experiencing technical faults on a beach adjacent to Mogadishu's international airport, ensuring all 55 individuals onboard survived.
According to Starsky Aviation, the pilot's quick decision-making and execution of an emergency landing were pivotal in saving the lives of the 50 passengers and five crew members.
The incident occurred shortly after take-off on Tuesday morning, when the crew reported difficulties and requested to return to the airport, as guided by Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The Fokker 50 aircraft successfully touched down but overshot the runway, ultimately coming to rest in shallow water. CAA director Ahmed Macalin Hassan confirmed that all passengers and crew evacuated safely.
Preliminary reports indicate the nature of the technical issue is still under investigation. Eyewitness footage circulated on social platforms showed passengers departing the aircraft and moving away from the site without any major injuries.
The African Union's mission and local authorities quickly mobilized to support rescue efforts at the scene, where Somalia's transport minister also made an appearance.
We are relieved that every passenger and crew member is safe. Investigations are ongoing to clarify the cause of the technical difficulties that led to this emergency landing, stated Starsky's spokesperson Hassan Mohamed Aden. The pilot’s calm and decisive actions were essential to the safe outcome of this incident, and we commend him for his exemplary handling of the situation.
