Precision Air flight PW 494 crashed landed into Lake Victoria on November 6th. The flight was approaching Bukoba Airport, situated on the shores of one of Africa's biggest lakes when bad weather and subsequent problems ensued. Rescue efforts by local fishermen and the police are underway to evacuate everyone onboard.

The aircraft involved

On its Twitter account, Precision Air confirmed the news of the crash but said that further details would only be given approximately two hours later as rescue efforts continued. Photos from the accident scene showed the aircraft nearly entirely submerged in the lake, with only its tail partially visible.

The flight was a regularly scheduled commercial service from Dar es Salaam to Bukoba, and the aircraft involved in the accident was an ATR 42-500, registered as 5H-PWF, and aged just over 12 years old. The aircraft is configured for 48 passengers, but PW 494 only carried 39 passengers consisting of 38 adults and one infant. Four crew members were operating the flight.

As rescue efforts continued, more than 20 passengers were rescued back to shore at the initial time of writing. Helping with the rescue operations was Kagera province police commander William Mwampaghale, as he could only confirm:

"We have managed to save quite a number of people. They have been taken to hospitals for treatment."

The possible cause of the crash

The actual cause of the crash is currently unknown, but it was reported that bad weather of heavy rains, strong winds, and fog were present around the time that PW 494 was approaching Bukoba, and such conditions did not relent when the flight attempted to land.

Based on witness reports from the rescuers' conversation with pilots, the aircraft was ditched into Lake Victoria after the pilots had circled several times due to the bad weather. A plan to divert the flight to Mwanza International Airport was attempted, but it was unknown why the aircraft was ditched instead.

In its latest Twitter update, Precision Air has announced that an investigation team consisting of the airline's technical staff and the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority are en route from Dar es Salaam to Bukoba to join rescue efforts.

French aircraft manufacturer ATR will also be joining in the investigations, as it said in a statement:

"Following the reported accident in Tanzania on November 6th involving an ATR 42-500 aircraft, our first thoughts are with the families and individuals affected by this accident. The ATR specialists are responding in line with established international protocols and are fully engaged in supporting the customer and the investigation."

A recent update from Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa highlighted that all bodies have been recovered from the aircraft. 24 of the 43 people onboard were rescued. Some aircraft debris was also recovered from the lake.

Unfortunately, it is now confirmed that at least 19 people, including the two pilots, have died in the crash.

Precision Air has since issued another statement following the confirmation of the 19 fatalities.

Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those onboard PW 494.

Sources: Reuters; CNN