A Boeing 737 aircraft carrying 85 people veered off the runway and erupted into flames at Blaise Diagne International Airport near Senegal’s capital, leaving 10 individuals, including the pilot, injured. The Air Sénégal flight operated by TransAir was en route to Bamako, Mali, from Dakar when the harrowing incident occurred late Wednesday evening, inflicting not only physical but also emotional turmoil on those aboard.
In a desperate bid for safety, passengers evacuated the burning plane amid “complete panic,” according to reports from the scene. Malian musician Cheick Siriman Sissoko captured the intense moments of escape on his phone, later recounting to the Associated Press, “I saw my life flash before my eyes. I thought about my mother, my wife, my kids.” The palpable distress was compounded by the fact that only one side’s emergency slide was operable, leading to a frenzied evacuation process.
One passenger, Ibrahim Diallo, revealed a troubling detail, indicating that an initial takeoff attempt had failed earlier that night, but the pilot reassured passengers that everything was under control. During the second takeoff attempt, smoke ominously began billowing from one wing.
The aftermath of the accident saw the injured receiving medical attention at a local hospital, while the rest of the passengers and crew were accommodated in a hotel to recuperate from the shock.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737-300, which has faced intense scrutiny following a series of accidents and controversies involving its aircraft, deferred comments to the airline. In a statement, Boeing emphasized its role in supporting carriers over the long lifespan of their planes, stating, “Carriers operate and maintain their airplanes for upwards of 30 to 40 years. We will provide any requested support to our customer.”
On social media, Air Sénégal notified the public of rescheduled flights between Dakar and Bamako but did not comment further on the incident.
This event at Dakar’s airport marks the third Boeing-related incident in a week, intensifying the scrutiny on the aviation giant. Another incident occurred in Turkey, where a Boeing plane had a tire burst upon landing, fortunately resulting in no injuries. The accumulation of these events highlights the company’s precarious position since the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which collectively resulted in the tragic loss of 346 lives.
As investigations continue to uncover the cause of the fiery accident in Senegal, the Aviation Safety Network, part of the Flight Safety Foundation, released photos of the damaged aircraft. The images show the plane resting in a field, smothered in fire suppressant foam, with clear signs of a ruptured engine and wing damage.
Relevant articles:
– Boeing plane carrying 85 people catches fire and skids off the runway in Senegal, injuring 10 , The Associated Press, 05/10/2024
– Injuries As Boeing 737 Catches Fire on Senegal Runway, TIME, 05/09/2024
– Boeing 737 catches fires, skids off runway at Senegal airport, injuring at least 11 people, South China Morning Post, 05/09/2024
– Boeing 737: Plane skids off runway in Senegal, tyre bursts in Turkey, Al Jazeera English, 05/09/2024
– Passengers Scream After Boeing 737 Skids Off Runway and Catches Fire in Senegal: WATCH, PEOPLE, 05/09/2024