1998 Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-32 crash
1998 aviation accident in South Sudan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 12 February 1998, a Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-32 crashed in Nasir killing several of the country's most senior government leaders, including the Vice-President Zubair Mohamed Salih.[1][2]
An Antonov An-32 similar to the aircraft involved | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 February 1998 |
| Summary | Runway overshoot in inclement weather |
| Site | |
 | |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Antonov An-32 |
| Operator |  Sudanese Air Force |
| Registration | 7744 |
| Flight origin | Malakal Airport, South Sudan |
| Destination | Nasir Airport, South Sudan |
| Occupants | 57 |
| Passengers | 50 |
| Crew | 7 |
| Fatalities | 26 |
| Survivors | 31 |
On the morning of 12 February 1998, the pilots of a Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-32 turboprop attempted to land at Nasir Airport. The craft overshot the end of the runway and slid into the Sobat River.[3] The Sudanese government announced that fog and strong winds had caused the crash.[4] The SPLA's spokesman in Nairobi announced that the crash had not been an accident, but had been caused by an SPLA attack.[1]
Casualties
Of the 57 crew and passengers on board, 26 drowned in the river. Among the dead were:
- Salih, the vice-president
- Musa Sayed Ahmed, Director General of the Supreme Council for Peace
- Arok Thon Arok, an ex-rebel turned government army officer[5]
- Timothy Tutlam, director of the Relief Association of Southern Sudan[6]
Information Minister Brigadier Mohamad Kheir and another minister survived.[7][8]
