On Monday, April 27, 2026, a small passenger aircraft crashed on the outskirts of South Sudan's capital, Juba. The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) confirmed that there were no survivors among the 14 people on board.

 

Incident Details

  • Aircraft: A Cessna 208 Caravan (Registration: 5Y-NOK).

    Operator: CityLink Aviation Limited.

  • Flight Path: The flight departed from Yei at 9:15 AM local time, bound for Juba International Airport.

  • Timeline: Communication with the aircraft was lost at approximately 9:43 AM, roughly 30 minutes after takeoff.

  • Crash Location: The wreckage was discovered in the Luri area, about 20km (12 miles) southwest of Juba. Video footage from the site showed the aircraft in flames.This image made from video shows the wreckage of a Cessna aircraft after it crashed southwest of Juba, South Sudan, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo)
    Pic:-Al Jazeera

Casualties

The SSCAA confirmed the death toll includes:

  • 13 Passengers

  • 1 Pilot

    Among the deceased were 12 South Sudanese nationals and 2 Kenyan nationals.

Investigation & Probable Cause

Preliminary reports from the aviation regulator suggest that adverse weather conditions were the primary factor. Heavy mist and storms in the region resulted in low visibility, which likely led to the aircraft going down in the mountainous terrain.

Investigators and emergency teams were deployed to the site to recover remains and secure the aircraft's technical records for a full investigation.

Note: South Sudan has faced frequent aviation challenges due to aging aircraft and a high reliance on small charter planes for domestic travel across difficult terrain. This incident follows a similar tragedy in early 2025, further highlighting ongoing concerns regarding air safety standards in the region.