The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has confirmed that there were no survivors following a plane crash that occurred approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Juba on Monday morning.
In an official press release, SSCAA said the aircraft involved was a Cessna 208 Caravan, registration 5Y-NOK, operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd. The plane had departed Yei en route to Juba International Airport at 09:15 AM but lost communication with air traffic control at around 09:43 AM.
According to the Authority, there were 14 people on board, including 13 passengers and one pilot. The passengers comprised two Kenyan nationals and 12 South Sudanese nationals. All those on board perished in the crash.
Preliminary findings suggest that adverse weather conditions, particularly low visibility, may have contributed to the incident. Aviation officials say such conditions can significantly affect navigation and landing, especially in areas with challenging terrain.
An official source familiar with the situation indicated that the crash occurred in the Luri area on the outskirts of Juba.
The aircraft is believed to have encountered poor visibility during its approach before striking a mountain and catching fire, although this account has not yet been formally confirmed by investigators.
The SSCAA said its response team has been deployed to the crash site to coordinate emergency and recovery operations, as well as to gather critical evidence to support the investigation.
“The Authority extends its deepest condolences to the families and relatives of those affected by this tragic incident,” the statement read, adding that further updates will be issued as more verified information becomes available.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with a focus on weather conditions, flight operations, and technical factors.
Aviation experts say a full determination may take time as investigators analyze wreckage, flight data, and other relevant evidence.
The incident marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in South Sudan in recent years, raising renewed concerns about flight safety and weather-related risks in the country’s airspace.
