Date: 30th June 2009
Location: Indian Ocean, near the Comoros Archipelago
Aircraft: Airbus A310-324, registration 7O-ADJ
Flight Number: 626
Operator: Yemenia Airways
Flight Route: Sana’a (Yemen) to Moroni (Comoros)
Passengers: 142
Crew: 11
Summary of Events
On 30th June 2009, Yemenia Flight 626, an Airbus A310-324, crashed into the Indian Ocean while attempting to land at Moroni’s Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in the Comoros Islands. The flight, which had originated in Sana’a, Yemen, with a stopover in Djibouti, was carrying 142 passengers and 11 crew members. Tragically, only one person survived the crash—Bahia Bakari, a 12-year-old girl who clung to floating debris for hours before being rescued by fishermen.
The aircraft crashed into the ocean shortly before reaching its destination, in what was later attributed to a loss of control during the approach in adverse weather conditions. The crash of Flight 626 was a major tragedy, not only for the families of the victims but also for Yemenia Airways, which faced significant scrutiny over the safety standards of its operations.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft involved in the crash was an Airbus A310-324, a wide-body, twin-engine jetliner designed for medium- to long-haul flights. The Airbus A310 had been in service since the 1980s and was widely used by airlines around the world at the time of the crash. The specific aircraft, registration 7O-ADJ, was over 19 years old and had accumulated around 51,900 flight hours over 17,000 flight cycles. It had undergone regular maintenance checks, but concerns were raised about the overall condition of the aging aircraft.
Yemenia Airways, the flag carrier of Yemen, operated the flight as part of its international service network. The airline had faced criticism in the years leading up to the crash regarding its safety record, with reports indicating that some European aviation authorities had banned Yemenia from operating in European airspace due to safety concerns.
The flight crew consisted of two pilots, both of whom were experienced but may not have been fully familiar with landing procedures at Moroni Airport, a challenging airfield due to its proximity to mountainous terrain and exposure to volatile weather conditions. The captain had accumulated more than 7,000 flight hours, while the first officer had around 3,500 hours of flying experience.
Sequence of Events
Flight 626 departed from Sana’a International Airport late on the evening of 29th June 2009, bound for the Comoros archipelago, with a brief stop in Djibouti. The flight proceeded without incident through most of its journey, and as the aircraft neared its destination, the weather conditions in the Comoros began to deteriorate.
At the time of the approach, the area around Moroni’s Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport was experiencing strong winds, rain, and low visibility. The airport, situated on the island of Grande Comore, is known for its challenging approach, particularly in poor weather. Despite the difficult conditions, the flight crew continued with the descent.
As the aircraft descended toward the runway, the approach became increasingly unstable. The aircraft veered off its intended flight path, and the crew struggled to regain control. At 23:51 local time, just minutes before the scheduled landing, Flight 626 crashed into the Indian Ocean approximately 15 kilometres north of the airport. The aircraft broke apart upon impact, and much of the wreckage sank to the ocean floor.
Of the 153 people on board, only 12-year-old Bahia Bakari survived the crash. She was thrown from the wreckage and managed to stay afloat by clinging to a piece of debris. Bakari, who could not swim, remained in the water for nearly 10 hours before being rescued by local fishermen the following morning. Her survival was considered miraculous, and she later recounted her ordeal in the aftermath of the crash.
Weather and Runway Conditions
The weather at the time of the crash was a significant factor in the incident. Moroni was experiencing gusty winds, heavy rain, and turbulence due to the presence of strong coastal weather systems. These adverse conditions reduced visibility and made the approach to the airport particularly hazardous.
The airport at Moroni lacks some of the advanced landing aids found at larger international airports, such as an instrument landing system (ILS). Pilots often rely on non-precision approaches, making it more challenging to safely land during poor weather. In the case of Flight 626, the crew was likely attempting a visual approach when the aircraft lost control.
Investigation and Analysis
The investigation into the crash of Yemenia Flight 626 was conducted by the Comoros authorities with assistance from France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) and Airbus, among other international bodies. The investigation focused on the crew’s actions, the condition of the aircraft, and the impact of the weather on the crash.
Loss of Control: The investigation determined that the primary cause of the crash was a loss of control during the approach. The flight crew had difficulty maintaining a stable approach in the adverse weather conditions, and the aircraft’s position and trajectory became unstable as it neared the runway. The investigation revealed that the aircraft veered off course and descended too rapidly in the final moments before impact.
Crew Performance: The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) indicated that the crew may not have been fully aware of the aircraft’s unstable descent until it was too late to take corrective action. The investigation suggested that the crew might have been disoriented due to the challenging weather and poor visibility, which hindered their ability to properly manage the approach. Additionally, it was suggested that the crew may not have been adequately familiar with the specific challenges of landing at Moroni, including the lack of modern landing aids.
Aging Aircraft: While the investigation did not find evidence of mechanical failure, it raised concerns about the condition of the aging Airbus A310. The aircraft had been in service for nearly two decades, and questions were raised about the quality of maintenance and inspection procedures, particularly in light of Yemenia’s safety record. The airline had faced scrutiny over its maintenance practices, and the crash of Flight 626 reignited concerns about the operation of older aircraft.
Weather Conditions: The adverse weather at the time of the crash was identified as a contributing factor. The strong winds, rain, and turbulence made the approach more difficult for the crew to manage, particularly without the aid of precision landing systems. The investigation noted that the crew’s decision to continue the approach in such conditions, rather than diverting to an alternate airport, was a critical error.
Conclusions
The crash of Yemenia Flight 626 was the result of a loss of control during the approach to Moroni’s Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in adverse weather conditions. The challenging weather, combined with the lack of precision landing aids and the crew’s inability to stabilise the approach, led to the tragic accident. The investigation also highlighted the risks associated with operating aging aircraft and underscored the need for improved maintenance practices and training for crews operating in difficult environments.
The survival of 12-year-old Bahia Bakari was a remarkable outcome in an otherwise devastating accident. Her survival story drew global attention and highlighted the importance of robust safety measures, life-saving equipment, and the critical role of rescue operations in the aftermath of aviation disasters.
Recommendations
In response to the investigation’s findings, several key recommendations were made to improve aviation safety:
1. Enhanced Pilot Training for Non-Precision Approaches: Airlines should ensure that pilots receive comprehensive training on conducting non-precision approaches, particularly at airports lacking advanced landing aids. This training should include simulations of challenging weather conditions and unstable approaches.
2. Improved Maintenance Standards for Aging Aircraft: Airlines operating older aircraft should adopt stricter maintenance protocols to ensure that aging airframes and systems remain in optimal condition. Regular inspections should focus on key components that are more susceptible to wear and tear in older aircraft.
3. Upgrading of Airport Landing Aids: Airports in regions prone to poor weather conditions should invest in precision landing systems, such as instrument landing systems (ILS), to aid pilots during challenging approaches. This could significantly reduce the risk of accidents in adverse conditions.
4. Weather Awareness and Decision-Making: Flight crews should be trained to make timely decisions regarding weather-related diversions. In cases where weather conditions are below the required minimums, flight crews should be encouraged to divert to alternate airports rather than attempting a risky approach.
Safety Lessons and Industry Impact
The crash of Yemenia Flight 626 was a sobering reminder of the risks posed by unstable approaches in poor weather and the challenges of operating aging aircraft. The incident highlighted the need for airlines to prioritise safety and the importance of ongoing pilot training for difficult landing conditions. It also underscored the importance of having modern landing aids at airports, especially those in remote areas with volatile weather.
Since the crash, the global aviation industry has continued to focus on enhancing safety standards, particularly for non-precision approaches, and ensuring that pilots are well-prepared for adverse weather conditions. The story of Bahia Bakari’s survival has also served as a symbol of hope in the face of tragedy and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
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