In a dramatic scene at Somalia’s primary international gateway, a passenger aircraft carrying 55 people veered off the runway and came to rest in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Despite the severity of the crash-landing at Aden Abdulle International Airport, authorities have confirmed that all 50 passengers and five crew members survived without major injuries.
The incident has sparked both an official aviation investigation and widespread praise for the flight crew’s professional handling of a mid-air emergency.
Emergency Return: 15 Minutes into Flight
The Starsky Aviation flight, operated by a Fokker 50 turboprop (registration 6O-YAS), departed Mogadishu on Tuesday morning. Its destination was the northern city of Gaalkacyo. However, the routine domestic trip quickly turned into a life-threatening crisis.
Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, the flight crew detected a significant technical malfunction. Realizing the aircraft could not safely continue its journey to Puntland, the pilot immediately contacted the control tower.
The Timeline of the Incident
- Takeoff: The aircraft departed Aden Abdulle International Airport
- .Malfunction: Crew reported “performance issues” and requested an emergency return.
- Priority Landing: The tower granted the Fokker 50 priority status for Runway 23.
- Touchdown: The plane touched down but failed to stop within the runway limits.
- Overrun: The aircraft overshot the tarmac, veered off an embankment, and stopped at the shoreline.
A “Miracle” on the Shoreline
As the plane overran the runway, it plunged into the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean adjacent to the airport. Images and videos circulating on social media showed a chaotic but successful evacuation. Passengers were seen walking through knee-deep water away from the wreckage, which rested just meters from the beach.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the excursion. Officials noted that the right wing was snapped, and the nose of the plane suffered a heavy impact. Despite the structural failure of the airframe, the cabin remained largely intact, allowing for a swift exit.
“The crew managed it professionally and communicated with the tower throughout the emergency,” said Ahmed Nur, CEO of Starsky Aviation. “We are relieved to confirm no injuries and no deaths.”
Swift Response from AU and UN Forces
Because Aden Abdulle International Airport shares space with major international missions, rescue efforts were nearly instantaneous. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and United Nations (UNSOS) troops were quickly deployed to the site.
Emergency responders assisted in accounting for every person on board. Mohamed Farah Nuh, Somalia’s Transportation Minister, arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. He confirmed that all 55 individuals had been successfully evacuated and were transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
Official Investigation Launched
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has officially launched a probe into the technical fault. Ahmed Moalim Hassan, Director General of the CAA, stated that the initial focus will be on the mechanical malfunction reported by the pilot shortly after departure.
The investigation will look into:
- Maintenance Records: Reviewing the recent service history of the Fokker 50.
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Analyzing the communication between the pilot and the tower.
- Runway Conditions: Evaluating if environmental factors contributed to the failure to stop.
This incident follows renewed scrutiny of safety standards at Mogadishu’s airport. Last year, a UN-chartered flight performed a similar belly landing at the same location due to landing gear failure.
Pilot Hailed as a Hero
While the investigation continues, the pilot’s actions have been widely commended. Aviation experts suggest that his “quick thinking” and “calm decision-making” prevented a much larger catastrophe. By successfully steering the overrunning aircraft toward the shoreline rather than into airport structures, he maximized the chances of survival for everyone on board.
“His actions were crucial in saving those 55 lives,” noted a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport. “The outcome could have been far different without his professional intervention.”
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