South West Aviation loses its sole Antonov 26 in crash!

On Saturday, the 22nd August, South West Aviation lost its sole Antonov 26 after it impacted a farm near Hai Referendum, shortly after take-off from Juba Airport, South Sudan. The freighter, which was on a charter flight from Juba Airport (JUB/HSSJ) South Sudan, to Wau Airport (WUU/HSWW) South Sudan with 5 passengers and 3 crew, lost height shortly after departure from Juba at 08:30L (05:30Z) and impacted a farm near Hai Referendum about 3nm southwest of the airport. One passenger survived and is in a critical condition, all three crew and 4 passengers died in the crash. The South Sudan Minister of Transport states the aircraft was chartered by the World Food Program to transport supplies and wages for personnel at Wau and Aweil. According to the website of South West Aviation, the airline operates one AN-26 with registration YI-AZR. That tail number however is unknown in databases. According to databases the aircraft involved in the accident was registered as EX-126. The aircraft was however last seen operating using a fake Iraqi registration: YI-AZR. This is something the unfolding air accident investigation will no doubt look at. The MSN 11508 also confirms that the aircraft first entered service in 1981, making it more than 39 years old. Additional information received says that out of 8 on board the stricken aircraft only one person survived but Juba news reports suggest more people may have been killed as a provisional body count tallied at 17. It could not be established if there were additional undocumented persons on board or if people were killed on the ground when the aircraft impacted. Information search suggests, the aircraft with MSN 11508 were previously registered as EX-126, UN-26075, CCCP-26075.

Aircraft Information

Airline: South West Aviation

Aircraft: Antonov An-26B
Registration: EX-126
Serial Number: 11508
Age: 39 Yrs
Engines: 2 Progress AI-24VT