A light aircraft crash-landed at Lankien airstrip in Nyirol County of Jonglei State on Tuesday morning, authorities said.
The aircraft registration T7-BMM and belonging to the Salam Airline, had reportedly departed Juba at 7:33am local time for Lankien, but crash-landed shortly at 8:55am.
Juba International Airport Managing Director Kur Kuol confirmed the accident to Radio Tamazuj, but said he had not yet receive the detailed report from the airline company.
“Yes, there was a plane crash and there were only five on board. I have not yet received the report from the company, but hopefully they are okay. I may not tell you what caused the accident, but the plane took off here in Jubai at 7.33am and it was expected to land at the Lankien at 8.55am,” Kuol said.
He said the ill-fated plane was of the same type as one that crashed in Yirol recently.
The airport boss reassured that planes were always maintained and checked before travel.
A series of accidents recently have underscored the precarious state of air travel in South Sudan.
On August 8, a cargo aircraft caught fire after landing at Pieri Payam in Uror County of Jonglei State. The two crew members on board suffered injuries and were treated at a local clinic. The accident caused a fire that spread to the huts adjacent to the airstrip, leading to the death of three people and injuries to others.
Last March, a military cargo plane carrying supplies to Yida in the Ruweng Administrative Area, crashed at Yida airstrip. In February 2024, a passenger aircraft operated by Africano Company, which was transporting returnees from the conflict in Sudan, crash-landed at the Malakal airport. No injuries were reported.
In April 2023, a cargo plane carrying passengers crash-landed at the Juba International Airport with all passengers emerging unharmed. That followed a 2021 incident where a Let L-410 Turbolet South Sudan Supreme Airlines flight to the Yuai airstrip, crashed at Pieri again with no casualties.
The deadliest recent crash occurred in August 2020, when a cargo plane crashed into a farm in the Kemeru area shortly after taking off from the Juba International Airport. Eight people died, while a single passenger survived with injuries.
South Sudan’s challenging road infrastructure has made air transport a vital lifeline for many, contributing to the high frequency of aviation incidents.