Boeing Plane Skids Off Runway in Senegal, 11 Hurt

Senegalese Boeing aircraft skids off the runway, injuring eleven people

The international airport close to Dakar was closed on Thursday, May 9, after a Boeing passenger airliner went off the runway during takeoff in Senegal, injuring eleven people.

The B737/300 aircraft, rented by Transair, a privately owned airline, was transporting 78 passengers to Bamako, Mali. It was being operated by Air Senegal.

According to a statement, the airport, which is located 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Dakar, began operations just after midday after the aircraft drifted off the runway at around one in the morning.

“We inform you that Blaise Diagne International Airport has reopened. Airport operations have resumed as normal.

“All the airport emergency services have been mobilized for the evacuation of passengers and their care, as per the plan,” the statement read.

Pictures of the left engine and wing went viral online, clearly showing the damage, and firefighting foam was used to hide it.

The statement added: “The exact circumstances of the incident remain to be determined, but an investigation is already underway to establish the reasons why the aircraft left the runway and the aviation specialists along with representatives of the airline concerned are on site to examine closely the airline log data and interview crew members.”

Though it was established in May 2018 after Senegal Airlines collapsed in April 2016, Air Senegal has been subjected to a torrent of criticism in recent months because of flight delays.

However, the US Federal Aviation Administration reports that no casualties were recorded following a Boeing 767 FedEx cargo plane's landing gear breakdown at Istanbul airport, which preceded this event.