| Date: | Monday 20 July 1981 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Fokker F-27 Friendship 600RF |
| Owner/operator: | Somali Airlines |
| Registration: | 6O-SAY |
| MSN: | 10557 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6087 hours |
| Cycles: | 2777 flights |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 50 / Occupants: 50 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Balad -
 Somalia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Mogadishu International Airport (MGQ/HCMM) |
| Hargeisa Airport (HGA/HCMH) | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Somali Airlines flight 40, a Fokker F-27 Friendship, crashed following a loss of control in turbulence near Balad, Somalia, killing all 50 occupants.
The F-27 entered an area of heavy rain in clouds with severe turbulence, eight minutes after takeoff. The aircraft entered a spiral dive after encountering strong vertical gusts. Loads during the dive increased to 5.76 G. These loads exceeded the design stress limits, causing part of the right wing to separate.
Sources:
Aviation Letter
Willem Wendt
Location
Images:
photo (c) Fokker, Frank Ellemers Collection; June 1977
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Apr-2025 06:18 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, ] |
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation