Tragic Beechcraft 1900 Crash in South Sudan – 20 Lives Lost
On January 29, 2025, a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, operated by Eagle Air on behalf of Light Air Services, crashed shortly after takeoff in South Sudan. This devastating accident took place near the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) Unity Airstrip in Rubkona County, Unity State. The aircraft was on its way to Juba International Airport when the tragedy occurred.
What Happened?
The plane took off carrying 21 people, including passengers and crew. About 10 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed. Witnesses reported seeing a wing possibly detach before the plane went down. The crash site showed the aircraft upside down, with debris scattered over a large area.
Who Were on Board?
The flight was chartered by the Chinese petroleum company Greater Pioneer Oil Company (GPOC). The passengers included:
- 16 South Sudanese nationals
- 2 Chinese nationals
- 1 Indian national
- 2 Ugandan crew members
Casualties and Survivor
Sadly, 20 of the 21 people on board lost their lives. The sole survivor, a South Sudanese engineer named Emmanuel Maker Makoi, was critically injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Beechcraft 1900D, a twin-engine turboprop known for its reliability in short regional flights. Registered as 5X-RHB, the plane was 23 years old. It was originally delivered to New Zealand’s Eagle Airways in 2002 before being acquired by Uganda’s Eagle Air in 2016 and leased to Light Air Services in 2017.
Investigation Underway
The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the cause of the crash. Authorities plan to recover the plane’s flight data recorder and send it to the United States for analysis. Preliminary results have not yet been released.
Safety Concerns in South Sudan
This accident has raised concerns about aviation safety in South Sudan, which has seen several crashes in recent years. Poor infrastructure, aging fleets, and limited regulatory oversight contribute to these safety risks.
Conclusion
This tragic event is a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring aviation safety, particularly in regions with underdeveloped infrastructure. The families of the victims are mourning this heartbreaking loss, and the aviation community is eager for answers as investigations continue.
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