39 Years ago today: On 20 July 1981 a Somali Airlines Fokker F-27 Friendship crashed near Balad, Somalia, killing all 50 occupants.
| Date: | Monday 20 July 1981 |
| Type: | Fokker F-27 Friendship 600RF |
| Operator: | Somali Airlines |
| Registration: | 6O-SAY |
| C/n / msn: | 10557 |
| First flight: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6087 |
| Cycles: | 2777 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 44 / Occupants: 44 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 50 / Occupants: 50 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | near Balad ( |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Mogadishu International Airport (MGQ/HCMM), Somalia |
| Destination airport: | Hargeisa Airport (HGA/HCMH), Somalia |
| Flightnumber: | 40 |
Narrative:
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.
