The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident, saying the chartered cargo plane went down as it attempted to land in Leer County, Unity State, on Tuesday morning.
The aircraft, which had taken off from Juba earlier in the day, encountered difficulties at around 8:30am and crashed before reaching the airstrip.
Authorities reported that the crew comprised three individuals: a Kenyan, a Ukrainian pilot, and a South Sudanese flight engineer.
Authorities reported that the crew comprised three individuals: a Kenyan, a Ukrainian pilot, and a South Sudanese flight engineer.
Local officials said the bodies of the Ukrainian and South Sudanese crew members had already been retrieved from the wreckage, while efforts were still underway to recover the remains of the Kenyan.
Kueth Latjor, the Executive Director and Acting Commissioner of Leer County, described the tragedy as a major loss and revealed that the aircraft developed mechanical problems shortly after taking off from Juba.
Kueth Latjor, the Executive Director and Acting Commissioner of Leer County, described the tragedy as a major loss and revealed that the aircraft developed mechanical problems shortly after taking off from Juba.
He added that rescue efforts had been slowed by the remoteness of the crash site, which can only be accessed on foot after a long trek.
The plane, operating as Charter Flight 114, had been contracted to transport food supplies to communities whose homes and farms have been submerged by months of heavy flooding.
The plane, operating as Charter Flight 114, had been contracted to transport food supplies to communities whose homes and farms have been submerged by months of heavy flooding.
Unity State is one of the regions most severely affected, with thousands depending on humanitarian drops for survival.
A response team has been dispatched to the scene, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.
South Sudan has recorded several aviation tragedies in recent years, with many linked to ageing planes, limited maintenance capacity, harsh weather conditions, and inadequate safety infrastructure.
A response team has been dispatched to the scene, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.
South Sudan has recorded several aviation tragedies in recent years, with many linked to ageing planes, limited maintenance capacity, harsh weather conditions, and inadequate safety infrastructure.
Among the deadliest was the 2015 Juba Antonov crash, which killed 37 people. Another major accident occurred in 2018 near Lake Yirol, claiming 20 lives.
Earlier this year, in January 2025, a Beechcraft 1900D chartered by an oil firm crashed in Unity State, killing 20 of the 21 people on board. That aircraft also went down shortly after takeoff.
Earlier this year, in January 2025, a Beechcraft 1900D chartered by an oil firm crashed in Unity State, killing 20 of the 21 people on board. That aircraft also went down shortly after takeoff.
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