Yemenia Flight 626 Crash on June 30, 2009

On June 30, 2009, a Yemenia Airbus A310-324 operating as Flight 626 crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros Islands. Although your request mentioned September 11, 2009, the incident actually occurred on June 30, 2009. This tragic event was one of several aviation accidents in the region and had a significant impact on international aviation safety discussions.

Flight Details

• Aircraft: The flight was operated by an Airbus A310-324, which was a twin-engine, medium- to long-range plane, registered as 7O-ADJ.
• Route: The scheduled flight was traveling from Sana’a, Yemen, to Moroni, Comoros, with a stopover in Sana’a after originating from Paris, France.
• Casualties: There were 153 people onboard, including 142 passengers and 11 crew members. Remarkably, there was one survivor, a 14-year-old girl named Bahia Bakari, who was found clinging to wreckage after spending hours in the sea.

Circumstances of the Crash

The crash occurred during the early morning hours as the aircraft was making its approach to Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport in Moroni. The aircraft reportedly vanished from radar screens and failed to make its landing, instead crashing into the sea just off the Comorian coast.

Investigation and Findings

The exact causes of the crash remained uncertain immediately following the disaster, demanding a thorough investigation by aviation authorities. The leading investigative body, BEA (Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety) from France, analyzed the black boxes recovered from the crash site. Their findings highlighted several issues, such as:

• Pilot Error and Training Deficiencies: Investigators pointed to possible navigational errors and inadequacies in pilot training, particularly during approach and landing in challenging weather conditions.
• Regulatory Concerns: The crash raised significant concerns about Yemenia Airways’ adherence to international safety standards. Before the crash, the airline had been criticized for operational lapses and maintenance inadequacies.

Aftermath and Impact

This disaster was part of a series of aviation tragedies affecting African and Middle Eastern airlines, prompting increased international focus on improving safety regulations and standards. The European Union had previously blacklisted Yemenia Air’s Airbus A310 from operating within its airspace due to safety concerns, thus spotlighting the ongoing challenges within parts of the aviation industry.

The crash underscored the need for robust safety oversight and improvement in aviation protocols, particularly in regions with histories of inadequate regulatory frameworks. In the aftermath, international aviation bodies continued to urge heightened measures to enhance passenger safety globally.