B1900 Crash
 

Does anybody have any updates on the reporting of a B1900 accident in Sudan ?.

1900 Down in Rumbek (HSMK)
 

Hi,
Just heard from a Safair C-130 crew returning from Wau that a 1900 down at Rumbek in Sudan. Initial reports 21 on board, heaven hopes we are wrong but sounds like 21 casualties.
Our thoughts are with all those people who have been affected by this tragedy.
ArendIII.

B1900
 

Thanks ARENDIII .. another sad day for Sudan aviation. Fingers crossed

Anyone know who's the operator? Was it a ZS?

REG
 

At this point I understand it was not South African registered

1900 crash
 

Possibly Kenyan.

B-1900 C 5y-flx
 

B-1900 C operated by Flex Air as South Sudan Connection departed HSWW at 07:47 Z.
2 + 19 on board, 3 hrs fuel endurance

Issued May Day at 08:01 Z and crashed approx 15 mins later.

UN co-ordinated a SAR with helis out of HSWW and HSMK and located crash site at approx 09:51 Z

No survivors.

Bad WX at HSMK may have been a factor as A/C was known to be trying to get in there.

Sudan Minister on board + his entourage (mainly military personnel).

May be an act of war, Bhar El Ghazal is blowing up again

Cause
 

Very sorry to hear of the loss of the two crew and their pax. Wx has been tricky here lately and perhaps a factor. Understand it was the Min of Defence but I would be suprised if an act of war and feel that speculation might be inapproriate right now. Lets hear what the UN guys on site have to report.

Fly safe

CM

Cause
 

If the timings are correct the A/C was only 15 mins out of HSWW.

At the time HSWW WX was good though there was cloud cover.

Why did they not just return to HSWW ? At least it would have been a better option for them than HSMK, and maybe would have had a better ending.

Pressures of a VIP charter maybe ?

Sudan Tribune
 

There were some very important people on thsi flight but SPLA are fairly good travellers and understand aviation safety so would be suprised if they applied pressure on the crew.

BREAKING NEWS-SPLA minister killed in plane crash in South Sudan
Friday 2 May 2008 14:43

May 2, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) Affairs Minister Dominic Dim Deng and other 19 military officials have been killed as result of a plane crash between Wau and Juba, the Sudan Television reported today.

Justin Yak, GoSS Presidential Security Adviser was among the officials killed in the plane crash.

No conspiracy
 

Quote: "........Dominic Dim Deng and 23 people,....."

Is a B1900 able to legally take 24 people? I have flown in numerous B1900s in different continents and the most any have taken is 21 - two crew and 19 pax.

UN C, how are you mate? where were they planning on going with 3 hrs Fuel? In a C and 3 hrs, the only options would be Juba or Rumbek. Where did they log next destination as in the green book in the terminal?

My condolences to all involved. To the crew in Sudan, wx is EVIL at the moment and earlier in the year than expected, keep it safe.

Dog

Pax seats in Africa
 

Hi Carrier

You are probably 100% right if you were to follow the POH and the rest of the documentation like W&B etc . . .

But from experience in Africa - that was probably only the recommendation in the eyes of the people - it was probably deemed safe to add a pax sitting on a cooler box or suitcase.

In Africa certification to a certain number of seats is nearly always deemed a recommended number - if there is space - Hey they can probably fit in?

The other option was probably the fact that the reports could be a bit distorted - like reporters jumping to confusion - and drawing conclusions from anything but facts!


Stirred?
VG300

The journos in KRT dont report the facts so I seriously doubt there were 24 pax on board. There is not space in a C. And ias UN C said, it flew for 15 min at least before the MAYDAY, so W&B is unlikely to be the cause.

Dog

Sad news
 

Sincerest condolences to all those affected by this sad and tragic event. My thoughts are with the friends, families and co-workers of the crew and passengers in the difficult time ahead.

I tried to find Flex Air on the net...
What is this company like? (aircraft, contracts, etc.)

Another terrible day in aviation,

Something must be done in Sudan. Too many crashes, too many lives lost.

some info on the company can be found here

http://www.flexaircargo.co.ke/index.php


Emil

1900 Down
 

People,
Please can we just "allow the dust to settle" before we start making any judgements.
At this stage I feel that we would be better served as an aviation community to reflect on this tragedy and give those who have been so terribly affected time to come to terms with their grief.
This is the least that we can offer them.
Please fly safely.
ArendIII.