Overview
• Operator: Eagle Air (on behalf of Light Services Ltd)
• Aircraft Model: Beechcraft 1900D
• Registration: 5X-RHB
• Flight Route: Unity Oilfield Airfield (South Sudan) → Juba (South Sudan)
• Date: 29 January 2025
• Occupants: 19 passengers, 2 crew
• Casualties: 20 fatalities, 1 survivor in critical condition
• Aircraft Status: Destroyed
• Investigation: Led by South Sudan’s aviation authorities, with support from Singapore’s TSIB and New Zealand’s TAIC
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Incident Summary
Eagle Air flight 5X-RHB, a charter flight carrying oil workers, crashed approximately 10 minutes after takeoff from Unity Oilfield Airfield, near Bentiu, South Sudan. The aircraft lost altitude suddenly before impacting the ground.
Eyewitnesses reported that one wing appeared to detach in flight, leading to the loss of control. The crash claimed 20 lives, with a sole survivor rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
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Sequence of Events
Departure & Flight Progress
• 08:30 Local Time – Aircraft departs Unity Oilfield Airfield for Juba.
• 08:40 Local Time – Witnesses observe the aircraft flying normally before experiencing a sudden loss of altitude.
• 08:42 Local Time – The aircraft impacts the ground north of Bentiu, breaking apart on impact.
Post-Crash & Emergency Response
• 08:50 Local Time – Local authorities respond to the crash site.
• 09:10 Local Time – Three survivors are extracted from the wreckage.
• 12:00 Local Time – Two of the survivors succumb to their injuries in the hospital, leaving one sole survivor.
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Investigation Findings & Initial Analysis
1. Structural Failure Suspected
• Witnesses reported one wing detaching before the aircraft lost control.
• The wreckage suggests a high-impact crash with significant structural failure.
• Investigators are examining whether metal fatigue, improper maintenance, or external damage contributed to the incident.
2. Potential Overloading or Center of Gravity Issues
• The aircraft was operating a charter flight carrying oil workers, potentially at or near its weight limits.
• Investigators are analyzing cargo distribution and passenger weight balance to determine if improper loading affected stability.
3. Possible Mid-Air Stall or Control Issue
• Loss of altitude could indicate a stall or aerodynamic instability.
• Flight data and wreckage analysis will determine if the crew attempted recovery maneuvers before impact.
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Potential Causes & Contributing Factors
1. Possible In-Flight Structural Failure
• Witnesses observed wing detachment before the crash.
• Metal fatigue, maintenance history, or undetected damage will be reviewed.
2. Weight & Balance Concerns
• Charter flights often operate at high payload capacities.
• Investigators will examine aircraft loading records to assess any weight distribution issues.
3. Aerodynamic or Mechanical Issues
• Investigators will review engine performance, control system responses, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
• Data will be compared with previous incidents involving Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
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Safety Recommendations & Future Prevention
1. Enhanced Pre-Flight Inspections & Maintenance Audits
• A full airworthiness review of Eagle Air’s Beechcraft 1900D fleet is recommended.
• Increased inspection frequency on high-cycle aircraft operating in challenging conditions.
2. Improved Weight & Balance Procedures
• Stricter cargo and passenger weight documentation for charter operators.
• Mandatory center-of-gravity calculations for every flight.
3. Stronger Oversight of Small Aircraft Charter Operations
• Regulators should audit private charter operations for compliance with safety standards and maintenance protocols.
• Investigators will assess whether pilot training, operational oversight, or ATC coordination played a role.
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Conclusion
This fatal crash resulted in the loss of 20 lives, marking one of the worst aviation incidents in South Sudan in recent years. Investigators are focusing on possible structural failure, overloading, or flight control issues as contributing factors.
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and Singapore’s TSIB are assisting South Sudanese authorities in the recovery of aircraft maintenance records from Air New Zealand, which previously owned the aircraft.
A final accident report will be published following further wreckage analysis, maintenance history review, and survivor testimony.
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Disclaimer
“This report is based on available information as of 7 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the completeness of the details cannot be guaranteed. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.”
