On Feb 10th 2025, an Air Urga Antonov An-26, registration UR-ELB, operating a United Nations cargo flight from Bangui to Ndele, was involved in a serious accident during landing that left three crew members injured and the aircraft heavily damaged.
The aircraft, carrying only its six crew members, was on a routine supply mission when the crew encountered an unexpected and dangerous situation on approach to runway 17 at Ndele. According to the airline, the pilots observed several large mounds of soil and gravel—later determined to be about two meters high—positioned in the approach path.
Critically, the crew had not been informed about the presence of these obstacles prior to departure or during the approach. With limited time to react, the pilots attempted to avoid the mounds but were unable to fully clear them. The aircraft’s left main landing gear struck one of the obstacles, causing severe structural damage.
Despite the impact, the crew managed to continue the landing. However, during the rollout, the compromised landing gear failed, leading the aircraft to veer off the runway. The aircraft came to a stop off the paved surface with substantial damage.
Emergency response efforts ensured that all six crew members survived, though three sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.
In a statement released on Feb 14th 2025, the airline confirmed that the aircraft had no prior technical issues and emphasized that the route was a standard operation. The focus quickly shifted to the unexpected obstacles in the approach path.
On Mar 14th 2025, Ukraine’s National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine confirmed that the aircraft had collided with a mound of soil during approach, directly leading to the destruction of the left main gear and the subsequent runway excursion.
Further developments emerged on Mar 30th 2026, when investigators reported that the sand piles had been placed as part of ongoing technical work at the аэродrome. Crucially, no NOTAMs or warnings had been issued to alert incoming crews of the hazard.
The accident underscores the critical importance of clear communication and proper notification of hazards in aviation. Even routine operations can turn dangerous when vital safety information is missing, leaving crews with little time to react to unexpected threats.
