(AP)-A passenger aircraft carrying 55 people overshot the runway at Somalia’s main international airport on Tuesday and came to rest in shallow seawater along the Indian Ocean shoreline after an emergency landing triggered by a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff, Somali authorities and airline officials said. All passengers and crew escaped unharmed.
The Starsky Aviation flight, which had departed Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport bound for the northern city of Gaalkacyo, encountered mechanical trouble approximately 15 minutes into the journey, prompting the flight crew to return to the capital, aviation officials said.
During the attempted emergency landing, the aircraft failed to stop within the designated runway area, crossed beyond the paved surface and rolled into shallow water near a public beach adjacent to the airport perimeter, officials confirmed.
“There were no injuries and no fatalities,” Starsky Aviation Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Nur said in a statement, confirming that all 50 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft. “The aircraft overran the runway and came to rest by the shoreline.”
Somalia’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Farah Nuh, said rescue teams and airport emergency personnel responded immediately, securing the scene and accounting for everyone on board.
“All passengers and crew have been rescued safely, and only the aircraft sustained damage,” Nuh said, adding that authorities have opened a full investigation into the incident to determine the precise cause of the malfunction and runway overrun.
Ahmed Moalim, director of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, said the flight developed technical problems shortly after takeoff, forcing the pilot to abort the journey and attempt a return landing in Mogadishu. As the aircraft touched down, it veered off course and was unable to decelerate in time, ultimately leaving the runway environment.
Airport operations were briefly disrupted as emergency crews worked to evacuate passengers, secure the aircraft and assess potential environmental risks from fuel leakage. Officials said normal flight operations later resumed after safety checks were completed.
While no injuries were reported, the dramatic landing drew attention to aviation safety challenges in Somalia, a country that has worked in recent years to rebuild and modernize its civil aviation sector after decades of conflict and infrastructure damage.
Aden Abdulle International Airport, Somalia’s busiest aviation hub, sits close to the coastline, with limited buffer space between runways and the ocean. Aviation analysts note that this geographic layout can heighten the consequences of runway overruns, particularly during emergency landings or adverse weather conditions.
Tuesday’s incident underscores the critical role of pilot decision-making and emergency response readiness in mitigating potentially catastrophic outcomes. Aviation safety experts say the fact that the aircraft came to rest in shallow water, rather than deeper ocean or densely populated areas, likely contributed to the absence of injuries.
In recent years, Somalia has recorded steady growth in domestic air travel, with regional carriers connecting Mogadishu to cities such as Gaalkacyo, Hargeisa, Kismayo and Baidoa. The expansion has increased scrutiny of aircraft maintenance standards, pilot training and airport infrastructure, especially as passenger volumes rise.
Although Somali aviation authorities have made progress through international partnerships and oversight reforms, incidents like this highlight persistent vulnerabilities, including aging aircraft fleets, limited runway safety areas and constrained emergency resources at some airports.
Transport Minister Nuh said investigators will examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, pilot reports and air traffic communications to establish whether mechanical failure, runway conditions or operational factors played a role in the overrun. Findings from the inquiry are expected to guide any safety recommendations.
Starsky Aviation did not disclose the specific nature of the technical issue but said it is cooperating fully with regulators. The airline also emphasized that emergency procedures were followed and credited the flight crew and first responders for preventing loss of life.
Passengers described moments of fear as the aircraft struggled to stop, followed by relief when evacuation began. Airport staff assisted passengers as they exited the plane and were later transported back to the terminal for medical checks and debriefings.
Globally, runway overruns remain one of the most common types of aviation accidents, according to international aviation safety data. While most result in minor damage, overruns can become deadly when aircraft encounter obstacles, steep drop-offs or water beyond runway limits.
The Mogadishu incident is likely to fuel renewed discussion about runway safety enhancements, such as engineered materials arrestor systems (EMAS), extended safety areas or improved drainage and surface conditions. However, implementing such measures can be costly, particularly in developing aviation markets.
For Somalia, which continues to balance infrastructure development with security and economic recovery, the event serves as both a warning and a testament to progress. Despite the mechanical failure and runway excursion, coordinated emergency response and evacuation procedures prevented what could have been a major aviation disaster.
As investigators work to determine what went wrong, officials reiterated that passenger safety remains the government’s priority.
“We are grateful that no lives were lost,” Nuh said. “The investigation will ensure we understand exactly what happened and take steps to prevent a recurrence.”
