South Sudan lawmaker calls for probe into plane crashes

JUBA – A South Sudanese member of parliament has called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into two fatal plane crashes last week, demanding that the transport minister and the aviation authority explain the incidents.

At least three people were killed and two others injured when a UN humanitarian plane crashed at Peiri airstrip in Uror County, Jonglei State, on Wednesday, sparking a fire that destroyed nearby homes.

In a separate incident, thirty-five people escaped injury when a UNHAS plane crash-landed at Malakal Airport on Friday after losing its tires shortly after takeoff from Maban, according to South Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority.

The plane, which was en route from Maban to Juba, made an emergency landing in Malakal after its tires fell off. An investigation into the cause of the malfunction is underway.

During a parliamentary session yesterday, lawmaker Reath Puoch questioned the safety standards of planes operating in the country and said the head of teh aviation authority and the minister of transport be summoned.

“South Sudan has witnessed a concerning number of aircraft incidences. This incident resulted in the loss of life, injuries, and even the destruction of the property,” he said.

“In light of this information, I would like to demand that the Aviation Authority of South Sudan, the regulatory body that is overseeing the safety of the aircraft in South Sudan, to be summoned to this House, as well as the minister of transport to come and explain to us what are the causes, whether it is a maintenance issue, because now there is an anxiety around the country because the aircrafts have been crashing everywhere and we don’t know what is happening,” he added.

While precise figures of plane incidents in South Sudan are elusive, it is widely acknowledged that the country has experienced a disproportionately high number of aviation accidents relative to its size and population.

This is often attributed to factors such as poor infrastructure, lack of safety regulations, and limited maintenance capabilities.