The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has launched investigations after two planes collided midair in Nairobi on Tuesday, March 5. The...
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has launched investigations after two planes collided midair in Nairobi on Tuesday, March 5. The 10:05AM accident occurred when a Dash 8 Safarilink plane, enroute to Diani with 39 passengers and 5 crew collided with a Cessna 172 aircraft from Ninety-Nines Flying School.
The Cessna 172 aircraft registration number 5Y-NNJ crashed into Nairobi National Park, approximately 10 kilometers from the Wilson airport, killing a trainee pilot and instructor on board.
Contrastingly, the Safarilink Dash 8 plane registration 5Y-SLK received tail damage and returned successfully to the airport with no casualties.
The KCAA is investigating to determine the circumstances leading to the air accident.
SafariLink Aviation Limited Report
Safarilink Aviation Limited, which owns 12 aircraft stated that the 23-year-old DHC-8-Q300 plane enroute to Diani “experienced a loud bang soon after take-off” from Wilson Airport. The aircraft promptly returned to Nairobi and reported the incident. All 39 passengers and 5 crew on board were safely evacuated. Safarilink affirmed, “There were no casualties reported.”
Safarilink further stated that the Dash 8 aircraft 5Y-SLK “incurred some damage to its tail as it was climbing out of Wilson Airport after receiving Air Traffic Control clearance.”
The aircraft is no longer in service as it awaits an inspection. The affected passengers were flown to Diani by another Safarilink plane.
“The aircraft has since been withdrawn from service, awaiting inspection by the regulatory authorities. The affected passengers on the service to Diani were boarded onto another Safarilink aircraft that departed Wilson Airport at 11:20 and landed safely in Diani thereafter.”
Safarilink stated.
The Cessna Aircraft Accident History
The ill-fated Cessna 172 (5Y-NNJ) Aircraft from Ninety-Nines flying school was involved in another accident in January 2021. During solo training at Wilson Airport, a student pilot from the same school, holding a Private Pilot License, faced challenges during landings, resulting in the aircraft bouncing and a heavy impact on the nose wheel. Despite the damage, the student pilot emerged unharmed. This incident was reported by Kenya’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Department.
By Vivian K.
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