JUBA – A 39-year-old aircraft belonging to Somali Express Airways MD-80 sustained damage on Friday following a crash-landing at Malakal airport, according to airport authorities.
Thon Manykuer, Director of Malakal Airport, confirmed the incident to Sudans Post in a phone call this evening, stating that the plane damaged one of its wings while attempting to land.
He assured that no one on board was injured in the incident.
“I can confirm the incident which occurred this morning at Malakal Airport. That airplane was coming from Juba, and it was involved in transporting returnees who are coming from Sudan,” he informed Sudans Post from Malakal.
“When it came down to land, it missed the runway and then it damaged one of its wings and now we are investigating the incident,” he added, emphasizing that “none of those who were inside the plane were harmed.”
The local official stated that the plane, which was transporting returnees amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, suffered extensive damage upon landing.
Simple Flying, a website focusing on plane flights, identified the aircraft as a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 operated by Somali airliner Express Airways MD-80.
The website reported that the aircraft’s attempted landing in Malakal resulted in contact with the ground short of runway 04, leading to the collapse of its main landing gear.