Transair 737 take-off accident in Dakar leaves 11 injured

A Transair Senegal Boeing 737-300 was significantly damaged in a take-off accident at Dakar-Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Senegal on May 9, 2024.

Air Senegal flight HC301, operated by Transair Boeing 737-300, took off from RWY01 at Dakar Airport.

Transair HC301 Dakar (DSS)

During the takeoff process, the flight crew initiated a takeoff abort due to a hydraulic problem. As a result, the aircraft turned left and went off the runway.

The aircraft then came to rest on soft ground approximately 6,000 feet below the runway. During the event, a fire is said to have occurred in the left wing area of the aircraft.

The occupants of the Transair plane were ejected via emergency slides. According to a statement from the airport, several passengers on board suffered injuries.

“78 passengers were on board and 11 injuries were recorded, including 4 serious ones.” Six other minor injuries were taken to the airport medical service for observation.”

The runway closure incident led to the temporary closure of Blaise Diagne Airport. An investigation into the launch accident is currently being carried out by national authorities.

Boeing 737-300 6V-AJE

The aircraft operating the HC301 service to Bamako, Mali is a Boeing 737-300 with registration 6V-AJE. This is a 29.6-year-old narrow-body aircraft from the airline Transair. It has been in use at the airline since November 2023.

The aircraft had previously been in service with the airline TAROM since its original delivery in November 1994.

Transair Senegal is a regional airline based in Dakar, Senegal. Founded in 2010, the airline operates domestic flights within Senegal and also flies to destinations in neighboring countries, including Guinea, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Gambia.