South Sudan ex- minister survive plane crash in Yambio - Sudan Tribune

May 3, 2012 (MALAKAL) - At least two passengers and a pilot, are reported to have sustained injuries when a relief aircraft belonging to the United Nations World Food Proggrammee (WFP) crashed while landing at Yambio airstrip on Wednesday, authorities told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

WFP plane at Yambio Air Strip after the crash on 2 May 2012. (Photo: Mbugo William Phillip)

“Eight other passengers including former minister of transport and bridges Anthony Lino Makana on board came out safely. The incident took place yesterday at around 10:am in Yambio, capital of Western Equatoria State”, Christopher Ismail, South Sudan’s Director of Aviation said on Thursday. “It was a WFP programme plane 5Y-NGO”, he adds.

Ismail stated that the two pilots involved in the incident have been landing in Yambio Airport for long time adding that though there was a little rainfall a day before the incident, still the ground was dry and couldn’t be the reason of the plane crash.

The pilot of the plane, identified as David Bayeku, sustained an injury to his right knee and other minor bruises on his shoulder. Bayeku did not make a statement to the press but us reported to have been taken to Juba by ab UN Helicopter for treatment while the other co-pilot was safe.

Medical practitioners from Yambio Civil Hospital who spoke to Sudan Tribune described injuries as “minor."

"We saw the knee of the Pilot. It was okay. It was just minor injury with some cuts but it will improve," a source at the Yambio Civil Hospital said, explaining further that some Ugandan nationals who were on board were taken to Nzara Camp belonging to Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for treatment.

Mbugo William Phillip, Acting Station manager, Yambio FM 90.0MHZ said there were nine passengers on board and two pilots totaling to eleven passengers on board the plane, which over turned leaving the wings, engines and other parts scattered in the plane ground.

“This is the second time a Plane crash in Yambio Air Strip after the Cargo Plane crashed in 1995 leaving all on board safe”, says Mbugo.

(ST)