By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Starsky Aviation Fokker 50 passenger aircraft carrying 55 people crash-landed near Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport on February 10, 2026, after experiencing a technical problem shortly after takeoff, Somali authorities and multiple news agencies report.
The aircraft bound for the northern city of Gaalkacyo requested to return to Mogadishu when the crew detected the malfunction about 15 minutes into the flight, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
During the emergency landing attempt, the Fokker 50 overshot the runway and slid onto a nearby shoreline, coming to rest in shallow water along the Indian Ocean.
Despite the dramatic turn of events, all 50 passengers and five crew members survived and were safely evacuated while initial reports indicate no serious injuries or fatalities.
Footage shared online showed people walking away from the aircraft on the beach after exiting the plane.
Starsky Aviation and aviation officials praised the pilot’s quick and calm decision-making, saying their response helped avoid a worse outcome.
The airline confirmed the safety of everyone on board and noted that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the technical fault that prompted the emergency landing.
Emergency responders, including United Nations and African Union personnel, were deployed to assist at the scene, and the Somali Transport Minister also visited the site following the incident.
Authorities have said only the aircraft sustained substantial damage. A full investigation is being conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies to establish the factors that led to the runway overrun.
