A routine flight turned into a devastating disaster after a small passenger plane crashed in South Sudan, killing everyone on board.
Officials say 14 people died when a Cessna 208 Caravan went down on Monday, April 27, about 12 miles southwest of Juba. The aircraft had taken off from Yei and was heading to Juba International Airport when things suddenly went wrong.
According to the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority, the plane departed at 9:15 a.m. local time but lost communication less than 30 minutes later, at 9:43 a.m.
On board were 13 passengers and one pilot, including two Kenyan nationals and 12 South Sudanese citizens.
There were no survivors.
The aircraft was operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd., and early reports suggest weather may have played a major role in the crash. Officials say poor visibility and adverse conditions are being looked at as possible causes.
Emergency response teams were quickly sent to the crash site to begin recovery efforts and gather more information about what happened in the final moments of the flight.
Authorities offered condolences to the victims’ families, calling the incident a heartbreaking tragedy. More details are expected as investigators continue their work.
The crash also highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety in South Sudan. Since gaining independence in 2011, the country has seen dozens of aircraft accidents, often linked to aging planes, difficult weather conditions, overloading, pilot error, and limited regulatory oversight.
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