The smouldering AN-24

A Tarco Airlines Antonov AN-24, flight from Nyala to Zalingei (Sudan) with 38 passengers and 6 crew, burst two tyres upon landing in Zalingei, subsequently broke up and burst into flames around 16:00L (13:00Z). One person was killed, one seriously injured, 5 others received minor injuries.

The airline reported on Nov 11th, that the Antonov-24 burst two tyres on landing, subsequently broke up in two parts and burst into flames. One female passenger has been killed by the fire, one male passenger received serious injuries (burns) and 3 female and 2 male passengers received minor injuries. All other occupants of the aircraft remained uninjured.

Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority said on Nov 12th, there were two fatalities, but could provide only the name of the deceased female passenger already confirmed by Tarco.

Hospitals reported on Nov 11th, that 6 people have died as result of the accident.

UN peace keeping forces reported on Nov 11th there have been 11 survivors.

The provincial governour said on Nov 11th, there were fatalities, injured and survivors but was not able to provide a count.

The provincial government of West Darfur (Nyala and Zalingei) said on Nov 12th, that there has been no sabotage involved in the accident.

The flight had originated in Khartoum and flew to Zalingei via Nyala.

According to ATDB database, standing Nov 11th, Tarco Airlines had leased an Antonov AN-24 registration ST-ARQ in from Marsland Aviation but had returned the aircraft to the lessor, so that the airline had no AN-24 left in their fleet. The database updated their entry on Nov 12th now identifying ST-ARQ as the airplane involved in the accident.

Pictures of ST-ARQ before Nov 11th 2010 show the airplane entirely white including the area immediately underneath the windshield, which is also fully white unlike the usual AN-24 paint schemes, which usually show a black/dark root of the nose just underneath the windshield (see here for an example). New accident pictures received on Nov 12th show such a dark paint underneath the windshield and thus rule out ST-ARQ as the accident aircraft.

Zalingei Airport features a dirt strip 04/22 of reportedly 1180 meters length. The airport is located at 12°56’13.30″N 23°30’16.07″E in the Darfur province.