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An Armenian cargo aircraft identified as Antonov 24
(AN-24) crashed as it flew off course of the runway
at Dire Dawa Airport early last week.
Early in the morning last Monday, May 18, 2009, the
airplane rented from the East European country for
six months to transport about 2,000tn of chat
from Dire Dawa to Bosaso, Somaliland, went off the
runway as it was about to takeoff, officials from
the air port disclosed.
The AN-24 aircraft has been operating for over 12
years, frequently working at Dire Dawa Airport and
with the Sura, a travel agency in Dire Dawa Town
Administration.
According to the accounts of eyewitnesses, even
though the aircraft was seriously damaged, the
accident did not claim any lives, or cause serious
injuries. Nevertheless, the crew sustained minor
injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital in Dire
Dawa.
Officials at the airport said that after undergoing
a series of electromechanical checkups and
maintenance, the aircraft would be able to get back
on the runway.
The AN-24 aircraft crashed in the foggy morning
weather last Monday, eyewitnesses said.
The maximum speed and the cruising speed of the
aircraft are 500km/h and 450km/h, respectively. The
service ceiling of the AN-24 is 9,000m where as it
needs a 640m runaway for take-off and 645m for
landing.
The AN-24 aircraft is designed to operate in rough
weather and on unprepared airports in remote
locations. The 23.53m long and 8.32m high airplane
has a wing span of 29.20m.The spinning blades
protect engines from debris. The plane does not
require sophisticated ground equipment for
maintenance, according to airport officials.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft had four
crew - the pilot, the co-pilot, the operator and the
navigator.
The AN-24 was produced between 1959-1979 in the
Soviet Union and has a maximum load carrying
capacity of 5,500Kg for cargo and 50 passengers. |
