Antonov Crash Lands At Entebbe Airport

A Russian-made plane with 11 people on board made an emergency landing at Entebbe Airport on Wednesday after the gears failed to release its nose wheel, reports Yunusu Abbey. The Antonov 12 that was returning from Gbadolite in the Democratic Republic of Congo had five military passengers and a six-member Russian crew. The New Vision has learnt that the aircraft left the Old Entebbe Airport on Wednesday morning and flew to Gbadolite where it dropped the deputy army commander, Brig. Joram Mugume. Mugume was accompanied by Lt. Col. Emmanuel Musinguzi, the liaison officer Operation Safe Haven and Lt. Col. G. Etyang, a military assistant to the deputy army commander. Gbadolite is said to be a three- hour and 40-minute flight from Entebbe. After struggling for over one hour, the Antonov reportedly touched the runway using the main wheels (rear wheels) only. Aviation experts said such an emergency landing is risky because it can easily force the aircraft to catch fire. Reports said tension gripped the airport from about 6:40pm when the Antonov spent 80 minutes circling in the air as the Russian crew struggled to land. "The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials eventually advised the pilot to make an emergency landing because there were fears that the aircraft could run out of fuel. The Russian pilot used the main wheels (rear wheels) and held the nose up till the aircraft touched the runway at the old airport without getting any major damage," a source said. Mr. Cyril Rwabushenyi, the director of airports yesterday said, "This was not an exceptional case. Such incidents are common among aicrafts where a nose wheel fails to come out. Our fire fighting and emergency team was on stand-by to avert any eventualities." "Brig. Mugume, who spent the night in Gbadolite, went there to oversee the withdrawal of UPDF troops which was scheduled to start either today (Thursday) or Friday. But because of this problem, the exercise might be delayed till Saturday or Sunday when another plane has been secured to replace the Antonov," the source said. Initial reports had indicated that there were about 180 UPDF troops aboard the plane. But both airport sources and Lt. Col. Phinehas Katirima, the army spokesman, denied the reports. "There were only five military passengers and the six-member crew in the plane. But there were no injuries or any fire out break," said a source who witnessed the incident. He, however, said the Antonov would have to undergo some repairs before it can fly again. Uganda Air Cargo Corporation, a defence ministry parastatal, is reported to have wet-leased (hired with its crew) the aircraft. But it is not yet clear how soon the corporation would get a replacement to airlift the troops back home. Ends