By A Boeing 737 aircraft encountered a distressing incident during takeoff at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Senegal, resulting in injuries to multiple passengers. The occurrence took place in the early hours of Thursday, eliciting profound concern from passengers and aviation authorities alike.
According to statements from Transport Minister El Malick Ndiaye, the Air Sénégal flight, operated by TransAir, veered off the runway during takeoff, leading to injuries sustained by ten individuals. Nevertheless, contradictory reports from local media, citing information from airport press releases, suggest that eleven individuals were injured, with four of them in critical condition.
Footage captured by eyewitnesses, notably shared on social media by Malian musician Cheick Siriman Sissoko, depicted the chaotic aftermath of the incident. The video portrayed passengers evacuating the aircraft amidst scenes of panic, with flames discernible on one side of the plane.
Minister Ndiaye disclosed that the event transpired at 1:14 a.m. local time, subsequent to an “acceleration stop” during takeoff. The Boeing 737 was carrying a total of 79 passengers, four cabin crew members, and two pilots, one of whom sustained injuries in the occurrence. While the injured parties received prompt medical attention at a nearby medical facility, the remaining passengers were relocated to a nearby hotel.
In response to the incident, Minister Ndiaye promptly initiated an investigation into its underlying causes, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring aviation safety. Additionally, he extended apologies to affected passengers whose travel arrangements were disrupted owing to the incident.
Coincidentally, on the same day in Turkey, another Boeing 737 encountered landing gear complications at Gazipaşa–Alanya Airport. Turkish Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu reported that the nose landing gear of the Corendon Airline aircraft was “damaged,” resulting in a ruptured tire and structural damage at the front of the aircraft. Fortunately, all 184 passengers and six crew members aboard were unharmed.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Uraloğlu announced the temporary closure of the runway, with flights redirected to alternative nearby airports. A prompt investigation into the incident’s causes was initiated. Uraloğlu conveyed his heartfelt wishes to all passengers affected by the disruption, underscoring the government’s steadfast commitment to their safety.
Notably, these occurrences in Senegal and Turkey marked the second consecutive day of incidents involving Boeing aircraft in Turkey. On Wednesday, a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by FedEx executed a dramatic emergency landing at Istanbul Airport after encountering issues with its front landing gear. Despite the dramatic nature of the landing, no injuries were reported among the crew or ground personnel.
As aviation authorities in both countries undertake comprehensive investigations into these events, concerns regarding aircraft safety and maintenance procedures have been reignited, prompting calls for the enhancement of safety protocols within the aviation industry.
