A Somali airline has hailed the quick thinking of one of its pilots after he managed to crash-land a passenger plane suffering from a technical fault onto a beach adjacent to Mogadishu's international airport, ensuring that all 55 individuals on board survived unharmed.
Starsky Aviation praised the pilot's decisive actions which were pivotal in guaranteeing the safety of its 50 passengers and five crew members. After the aircraft, a Fokker 50, experienced an issue immediately after take-off, the crew promptly sought to return to Mogadishu, as confirmed by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Unfortunately, the aircraft overshot the runway and came to rest partially submerged in shallow water. The CAA's director, Ahmed Macalin Hassan, reported that despite the aircraft's dire condition, there were no serious injuries among the passengers. Initial footage shared online depicted passengers safely exiting the aircraft and walking ashore.
The African Union's mission promptly dispatched UN and AU troops to the area to aid in rescues. Transport Minister of Somalia was also present at the incident site. A Starsky spokesperson stated, We are relieved to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe. Investigations are currently underway to ascertain what caused the technical issue that led to the emergency landing. The spokesperson emphasized the pilot's calmness and swift decision-making were critical in this incident.
