Embraer EMB-120 Incident: Runway Spin-Off and Wall Impact During Landing

An Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia carrying 30 passengers and four crew members has been involved in a dramatic crash landing at Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) in Somalia.

The Halla Airlines-owned aircraft was travelling on a domestic route from between Garowe and Mogadishu. Upon landing, the plane lost control.

At high speed, the Embraer span off the runway and slammed into a wall that supported nearby fencing.

Following the ensuing heavy impact, debris and dust were thrown into the air, and a wheel could even be seen coming away from the aircraft.

In photos taken after the incident, which occurred on July 11, 2023, at 11:23am local time, the entire cockpit appeared to have broken away from the main fuselage.

The Somalian Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Fardowsa Osman Egal, confirmed the details of the crash and noted that two people suffered injuries, but there had been no fatalities.

The Minister also quashed rumors that former Prime Ministers Omar Abdirashid and Abdiweli Gas were onboard the flight.

It is understood that the two men were in Garowe for a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, but had arrived on an earlier flight.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed that an investigation into the crash was underway.

“The aircraft had a total of 34 passengers and crew on board. There were no fatalities from the accident except minor injuries. We would like to reaffirm that the preliminary report will be released once the current investigation concludes,” an SCAA statement said.

The cause of the accident is reported to have involved faulty landing gear.