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A passenger aircraft operated by Starsky Airline crashed shortly after takeoff on Tuesday at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, but all passengers and crew members survived, according to Somali aviation authorities. The plane was traveling from Mogadishu to Galkayo when it developed a technical problem moments after leaving the runway, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency return to the airport.
Officials from the Somali Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that everyone on board was safely evacuated and that no deaths or serious injuries were reported. The aircraft was carrying approximately 50 passengers at the time of the incident. Emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene and assisted in evacuating both passengers and crew members from the plane.
Ahmed Moalim Hassan, the Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, explained that the pilot acted immediately after detecting the malfunction. He said the pilot made the decision to return to Mogadishu in an effort to land the aircraft safely. However, after touching down, the pilot was unable to maintain full control of the plane. As a result, the aircraft overshot the runway and came to a stop near the shoreline, close to the airport perimeter.
Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, officials emphasized that the outcome could have been far worse. The quick response by the flight crew and emergency services helped ensure that everyone was evacuated safely. Passengers were escorted away from the aircraft, and no fires or explosions were reported following the crash.
Authorities have since launched an investigation to establish the exact cause of the technical failure that led to the crash. Aviation experts will examine the aircraft’s systems, maintenance records, and flight data to determine what went wrong shortly after takeoff. The findings of the investigation are expected to guide any necessary safety improvements and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The crash has renewed attention on aviation safety at Aden Adde International Airport, which serves as Somalia’s main international gateway. While air travel in the country has improved in recent years, incidents like this continue to raise concerns among passengers and aviation observers.
This is not the first time an aircraft has experienced serious trouble at the airport. In April last year, a United Nations-chartered plane was forced to make a belly landing at Aden Adde Airport after its landing gear failed to deploy properly. That incident, like the Starsky Airline crash, ended without loss of life but highlighted ongoing safety challenges.
Somali aviation authorities have repeatedly stated that they are working to strengthen safety standards, improve airport infrastructure, and enhance emergency response systems. Officials say continued investment and strict oversight are necessary to maintain confidence in the country’s aviation sector.
For the passengers on board Tuesday’s flight, the experience was frightening, but many expressed relief that everyone survived. As investigations continue, authorities are urging the public to remain calm and trust that appropriate measures will be taken to ensure safer air travel moving forward.