By Ebi Kesiena
A Boeing 737-300 aircraft has skidded off the runway at Senegal’s Blaise Diagne airport, causing injuries to at least 10 individuals, four of whom sustained serious injuries.
The incident occurred during the departure of Air Senegal flight HC 301 bound for the Malian capital of Bamako on Thursday. Although the pilot suffered minor injuries, the majority of the 78 passengers onboard escaped unharmed.
Operations at the airport were temporarily suspended following the incident but have since resumed. Emergency services swiftly responded to evacuate passengers from the scene.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the factors contributing to the crash, which transpired around 0100 GMT.
Neither Boeing nor Transair, the private company responsible for chartering the plane from Air Senegal, has provided official statements regarding the incident.
This occurrence unfolds against the backdrop of escalating concerns surrounding Boeing’s safety record. Earlier this year, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max experienced an incident where an unused door blew out shortly after take-off in the US, prompting a criminal investigation into the matter.
Furthermore, revelations from a former quality inspector at Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s largest supplier, have added to the company’s woes. The inspector alleged that plane bodies routinely left the factory with significant defects, a claim vehemently refuted by Spirit AeroSystems.
As aviation authorities delve into the circumstances surrounding the Senegal crash, questions arise regarding Boeing’s accountability and the broader safety standards within African aviation.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of ensuring robust safety protocols and rigorous oversight to safeguard passengers and maintain the integrity of air travel in Africa.
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