Two Embraer aircraft independently suffered runway excursions at the same airport

Two Embraer aircraft independently suffered gear collapses and runway excursions in Tanzania. One of them was accelerating for takeoff but veered off the runway and collided with a building before coming to a stop.

The Unity Air Zanzibar Embraer EMB-120 with registration 5H-MJH was involved in the first incident. It was operating a flight from Zanzibar to Kikoboga with 30 passengers and three crew onboard. However, while on approach to the airport, the crew reported problems with the landing gear. Upon landing the right-hand main landing gear, veered off the runway, and came to a stop on soft ground aside from the runway.

In another incident that happened six hours later, a Sindbard Air Embraer EMB-120, with registration 5H-FLM was operating a flight from Kikoboga to Zanzibar with 30 passengers and three crew. While it was accelerating for takeoff, the aircraft suffered a nose gear collapse, veered off the runway, and collided with a building with its right-hand wing before coming to a complete stop.

Thankfully, there were no injuries, however, both aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Tanzania’s National Park Organisation has confirmed the accidents within Mikumi National Park in which two aircraft independently suffered gear collapses and runway excursions.