A Cameroonian Air Force C-130H Hercules transport aircraft has suffered a runway excursion on Sunday, 2 August, at the Maroua airport in the Diamaré Division of the Far North Region.
The Hercules aircraft is said to have missed the runway upon landing, crashing into a nearby plain. Several persons have reportedly been injured, and the aircraft sustaining slight damage.
The C-130H plane was transporting ninety-one Defence Forces personnel serving in the UN-supported Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and another five crew members aboard the aircraft.
A statement by the Ministry of Defense spokesman, Navy Commander Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo, confirmed the incident, stating that “the aircraft that was on mission, had on board 96 passengers including five crew members and 91 personnel of the Cameroon defense forces deployed within the framework of the Multinational joint task force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)”.
Regarding the damage to the aircraft, a technical process had been initiated to ensure a “thorough assessment” of the aircraft, meanwhile investigations have also been launched to determine the exact caus, says Commander Cyrille.
Cameroon operates three C-130H transport aircraft aged between 38 and 42 years, and based at Douala/Aeroporte and assigned to 22ème Escadron Aérien, with two squadrons: 221 Escadrille de Transport and 222 Escadrille de Reconnaissance.
The trio will be supported by UK-based Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group under a recently signed multi-million dollar contract.
As per the contract, Marshall ADG will also provide technical training to Cameroonian Air Force personnel to handle front line maintenance and support for a five years period.
Cameroon has previously used Denel, Sabena Technics and OGMA for C-130s maintenance, with Portugal’s OGMA being the most recent maintenance provider. Basic maintenance was carried out in Cameroon and heavier work in Portugal.