An Antonov AN-26 freighter (operator unknown, livery all white), registration SP-401 performing a freight flight from an unknown point of origin to Yambio (South Sudan) with 12 passengers, 5 crew and 6 tons of cargo, overran the runway in Yambio during landing and became disabled in the bushes past the runway.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provided assistance to pull the aircraft back onto the runway and to the apron. UNMISS reported there were no injuries.

The operator of the aircraft SP-401 is unclear, as is the history of the aircraft (serial number not determined). There are pointers the aircraft could be operated by South Sudan’s Air Force, the United Nations or some other operator.

Several Internet aircraft history resources speculate that SP-401 could be former EK-26006 or EK-26005. A ground observer in Juba reported he had seen SP-401 at the military apron of Juba Airport in the past but never seen the aircraft flying. At the same time he had seen an AN-26 registration EK-26005 at Juba Airport (operated by Skiva Air).

Yambio features a dirt runway of approximately 1000 meters/3300 feet length at an elevation 2375 feet/724 meters in approximate orientation 03/21.