2024 Malakal Airport collision

On 31 March 2024, a Boeing 727-200 operated by Safe Air Company scheduled to fly from Juba International Airport to Malakal Airport, South Sudan, undershot the runway after experiencing technical issues. The plane collided into a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 that had crashed around two months earlier in the same airport. Out of the seven occupants on board, everyone survived with only one injured.

Background
On 9 February 2024, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 registered 5Y-AXL and operated by African Express Airways crashed in similar circumstances as the Safe Air Boeing 727 did at Malakal Airport, South Sudan; the aircraft touched down short of the runway and lost its landing gear, before coming to a stop on its belly. It was later removed from the runway to allow the airport to restart operations.

Aircraft
The first aircraft involved in the collision was a 45-year-old Boeing 727-2Q9 Advanced registered as 5Y-IRE with serial numbers 21931/1531. It was first delivered to Avianca in 1979. The aircraft was powered by three Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17R S3 engines.

The second aircraft involved was a 39-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-82 registered 5Y-AXL with serial numbers 49204/1179. It was first delivered to Alitalia in 1985. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217A/C engines.

Accident
On 31 March 2024, the Boeing 727-200 took off from Juba Airport carrying supplies and other cargo. After an hour, they finished cruising and were descending when they started to experience technical problems with the aircraft. They decided to make an emergency landing, performed by the captain. Upon approach, the plane touched down a few meters off of the runway, causing the tires to burst. The captain lost control of the aircraft, sending it hurdling off of the runway, and finally striking the previously mentioned McDonnell Douglas MD-82 that was off of the runway. It sustained substantial damage, while the Boeing 727 split into two parts, thus being written off. There were no fatalities and one reported injury.

Investigation
An investigation is currently ongoing to try to figure out why the aircraft crashed.