A Boeing passenger plane veered off the runway during takeoff in Senegal early Thursday, causing injuries to 11 individuals and prompting the closure of the international airport near the capital Dakar for nearly 12 hours, airport authorities disclosed.
The incident involved a B737/300 aircraft, operated by Air Senegal and chartered by the privately-owned Transair. According to a statement by airport managers LAS, the plane, en route to the Malian capital Bamako, was carrying 78 passengers when the mishap occurred, leaving four passengers with severe injuries.
LAS, which comprises Turkish group Limak, publicly-owned airport operator AIBD, and another Turkish entity, Summa, stated that the aircraft skidded off the runway during its takeoff phase at around 1 am (0100 GMT). Among the injured, four individuals sustained serious injuries, while six others were taken for medical evaluations within the airport premises.
Following the incident, the airport at Diass, situated 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Dakar, remained closed for approximately 12 hours. LAS announced the resumption of normal airport operations shortly after midday.
The aircraft was reported to be “immobilized” away from the runway, with an emergency plan activated promptly by airport authorities for passenger evacuation and assistance, according to LAS.
While the exact circumstances leading to the incident are yet to be determined, LAS disclosed that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the reasons behind the plane’s departure from the runway. Aviation specialists, along with representatives from the airline involved, are on-site to analyze the airline log data and interview crew members.
This occurrence comes amid ongoing criticism faced by Air Senegal, with passengers frequently expressing grievances over flight delays, both domestic and international. Air Senegal commenced operations in May 2018, succeeding the collapse of Senegal Airlines in April 2016.
The incident highlights safety concerns and operational challenges as Senegal aims to position Dakar as a regional air hub, centered around the Blaise Diagne International Airport inaugurated in December 2017.
Transair, founded in 2010 and based at Blaise Diagne airport, operates flights to a dozen destinations across West Africa, catering to approximately 90,000 passengers annually, as per its website.
Thursday’s incident follows closely on the heels of another aviation scare, wherein a Boeing 767 Fedex cargo plane landed at Istanbul airport without its front landing gear, although no injuries were reported, as confirmed by the US Federal Aviation Administration.