Aviation
Commercial /
Africa
Rescue in progress
Cessna 208B crashes into Indian Ocean
Rafael Ramos
3/2/2022
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashed into the depths of the Indian Ocean, in the Comoros archipelago, on the island of Mohéli, located in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel. The plane operated by AB Aviation crashed on Saturday, February 26.
The Cessna, registration 5H-MZA, carried 12 passengers and two crew. The flight was quite short, from Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport (HAH) in Moroni to Bandar Es Eslam Airport (NWA) in Mohéli, about 100 km away. Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, the plane disappeared from radars when it was just 2.5 km from landing.
The Comorian Ministry of Transport confirmed the accident and said that the search for the wreckage of the aircraft was ongoing. Rescue boats were also called to search for the victims at sea, having already found wreckage from the plane and the victims' personal belongings, but there is still no sign of any of the 14 people on board.
“Tomorrow, we will continue the search. As long as we don't find any bodies, there is hope,” said Abdel-Kader Mohamed, a senior police officer with the Comorian authorities.
Plane crashes that occur over water have a slightly better chance of survival, but even so, surviving after such an accident is very difficult. We hope that the searches will find all the occupants of the aircraft alive.
“AB Aviation is sad to announce the disappearance of flight Y61103 Moroni/Mohéli this Saturday, February 26, 2022. The aircraft of type CESSNA 208B with registration 5H-MZA took off from Moroni airport at 11:50 am and disappeared from radar at approximately 2.5 km from Mohéli airport on the sea. Research is ongoing and two crisis cells for the reception of families of passengers have been installed at the Le Retaj Moroni hotel in Grande-Comore and at Bandarsalam airport in Moheli. We will not fail to communicate about the evolution of the research. The following number is available for families of passengers: 328 69 69”, reads a statement from AB Aviation.
The cause of the accident is not yet known, investigations could take many months. However, aircraft accidents never happen because of an isolated factor, but a set of circumstances.
Gary Loparter/Unsplash
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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