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A United Nations aircraft operated by the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) was forced to make an emergency landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, following a malfunction in its landing gear system. The incident, which occurred during a routine domestic flight, was handled professionally by the flight crew and emergency services, preventing a potential disaster and ensuring the safety of nearly all on board.
The aircraft had departed from Mogadishu and was en route to Baidoa when the crew discovered a mechanical issue preventing the proper deployment of the landing gear. In response, the pilots made the decision to turn the aircraft around and return to Mogadishu, where they executed a controlled emergency landing. Thanks to swift action and close coordination between UNSOS personnel and Somali aviation authorities, the aircraft landed safely despite the technical malfunction.
Only one passenger was reported to have sustained a minor injury during the evacuation process. All other passengers and crew members were unharmed. The emergency teams at Aden Adde International Airport responded quickly, providing support and managing the situation with high levels of preparedness.
The United Nations praised the effective collaboration between the flight crew, emergency responders, and Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority. “We commend the collaboration between UNSOS and the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority which made this effective response possible,” said Assistant Secretary-General Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, who heads the UN Support Office in Somalia. She also expressed gratitude for the professionalism shown by all those involved in safely resolving the incident.
The emergency landing underscores the importance of ongoing coordination between international partners and Somali authorities, especially as Somalia works to modernize its aviation infrastructure and improve air safety protocols amid broader stabilization efforts in the region. UNSOS, which provides logistical and operational support to peacekeeping operations and the Somali government, plays a critical role in the country’s ongoing recovery from decades of conflict and instability.
This incident comes at a time when Somalia is receiving increased attention from international bodies and donors focused on infrastructure, security, and humanitarian development. The country continues to battle challenges such as al-Shabaab insurgency, natural disasters, and political instability, making the reliability and safety of key services like aviation essential to progress and recovery.
The emergency landing, while frightening, highlighted the value of regular safety training, proper maintenance procedures, and strong communication between international agencies and national institutions. With no fatalities and only one minor injury, the response effort is being viewed as a success story in risk management and emergency preparedness.
The aircraft has since been grounded pending a full technical inspection and investigation into the root cause of the landing gear malfunction. Officials have not yet released details about the make or model of the aircraft involved, nor the identities of the passengers or the injured individual. However, sources confirm that the flight was part of UNSOS’s regular logistical operations within Somalia.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for continuous improvement in Somalia’s aviation sector, where both domestic and international flights play a vital role in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. The outcome also reinforces confidence in the safety standards and protocols in place at Mogadishu’s primary airport, which has seen increased traffic in recent years due to development efforts and international engagement.