A Lockheed L-100 Hercules belonging to Ugandan carrier BAR Aviation has suffered a runway excursion upon landing at an airfield in Somalia, sustaining substantial damage in the process.
The aircraft (registered 5X-SBR) was performing a freight flight from Uganda to Jowhar (Somalia) on March 9, 2024, carrying supplies to support the ATMIS forces (African Transition Mission in Somalia). Upon landing in Jowhar, the plane veered off the right side of the runway, stopping on rough ground The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the incident.
After coming to a halt, the aircraft’s right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed. Additionally, the outboard right-hand propeller was sheared off by the impact, and the right-wing tip was also damaged. Passengers evacuated the aircraft, while airport emergency services tackled and extinguished a small post-impact fire.
There were no injuries suffered by anyone onboard although the total number of passengers and crew has not been disclosed by BAR Aviation. Photos of the wrecked aircraft posted on social media appear to support reports that the aircraft suffered extensive damage as a result.
According to local media reports, the incident was attributed to pilot error in conjunction with the poor state of the airport infrastructure.at Jowhar Airport.
The aircraft’s operator, BAR Aviation, is a general air service provider in Uganda. The company offers a diverse range of services, which includes operating scheduled and charter passenger services, cargo flights, pilot training, medical evacuation flights, and MRO (Maintenance and Repair Organization) services, all from its main operating base at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda. The company also designs, manufactures, and supplies drones as part of its portfolio of services.
In addition to the Lockheed L-100 Hercules aircraft damaged in the Jowhar incident, BAR Aviation operates an eclectic fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Types operated include turboprops such as the Beechcraft 1900D, Pilatus PC-12, and Cessna Caravan 208B. The company also has a Canadair Challenger 604 business jet plus uses Cessna C-172s for flight training.
Alongside the above types, the company also has an extensive range of helicopters, which, according to the company website, includes the Eurocopter EC-130, Bell 505, Bell 206, and Bell 412.
The aircraft involved in the Jowhar incident was built in 1975 and provides a cargo capacity of up to 50 tons (50,000kg).
According to the BAR Aviation website, the L-100 is capable of “carrying large payloads over long distances at high speeds. It can take off and land on short runways (less than 4,000 feet / 1,200m), making it ideal for use in areas with rough terrain or limited infrastructure.”
“The aircraft’s increased capacity and range means that it can now fly to remote areas with ease, making it possible to deliver goods faster and more efficiently than ever before. This will greatly improve access to remote areas where roads are poor or non-existent, allowing companies in these regions to grow their businesses while reducing costs associated with transportation.”
Given the damage sustained by the aircraft in this incident, when considered alongside its age, it will be interesting to see whether 5X-SBR will be repaired and returned to service or written off as being beyond economic repair by the company or its insurers.