On 2nd February 2026, one pilot in Somalia became the pride of the region after a heroic deed. He managed to maneuver a faulty plane and bring his passengers back to the ground safely.
On that day, the pilot was flying a plane belonging to Starsky Airlines, formerly Starsom Air, when it developed mechanical problems shortly after take-off. The plane was a Fokker 50, one of those that operate locally, mainly between Mogadishu, Somalia, and Nairobi, Kenya.
Somali’s director of CAA, Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Macalin Hassan, confirmed the incident that took place at next to Aden Adde International Airport.
Where did the plane land?
After being cleared to return to base, the pilot landed safely but ran off the runway. Fortunately, he managed to steer it to the shores of the Indian Ocean, where everyone on board was evacuated. The plane was reported to have had 55 people on board, including 5 crew members.
Starsky thanked the pilot for making the right decisions at a most critical time and said his brilliance enabled him to save everyone.
The Act is a Silver Lining in an Otherwise Unpleasant Situation
The pilot’s brilliance and ability to think on his feet serve as a welcome relief in a country experiencing food shortages while still waging a war against Al Shabaab.