Kenya

Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Nairobi – Samburu

MSN:

TC-349

YOM:

1980

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Nairobi-Wilson Airport at 1558LT on a charter flight to Samburu, carrying 12 passengers (all US citizens) and two pilots. En route, the crew decided to make a tour over the Mt Kenya before continuing to Samburu. While cruising at an altitude of 16,500 feet in clouds, the aircraft struck the eastern slope of Mt Point Lenana (third highest peak of Mt Kenya). The wreckage was found 450 feet below the summit and all 14 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to maintain horizontal and vertical situational awareness of the aircraft’s proximity to the surrounding terrain.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Unfamiliarity with the airspace and the route in particular and the existence of high ground on the planned flight route,
- Inadequate flight planning by the pilots and distraction of their attention when they were instructed to contact Nanyuki,
- Poor pilot briefing by the Wilson ATC briefing office,
- Poor communication between the air traffic control units,
- Failure of the radar controller to advise the pilot of termination of radar service,
- Lack of a radar system minimum safe altitude warning to the radar controller,
- Poor civil military coordination during transit through the military airspace.

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Busia: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2003 at 1645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

5Y-EMJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Site:

Landing (descent or approach)

Schedule:

Busia – Nairobi

MSN:

158

YOM:

1965

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft was returning from Busia to Nairobi, carrying a delegation of the Kenyan Government who made a local visit in Busia following the national elections. Shortly after takeoff from runway 13/31 which is 3,281 feet long, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables and crashed onto a house. Both pilots and a passenger, the Labour Minister Ahmed Mohamed Khalif were killed while nine other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. There were no casualties on the ground.

Probable cause:

The following findings were identified:
- Poor flight preparation on part of the crew,
- The total weight of the aircraft was estimated to be over 16 tons, well above the MTOW,
- Aircraft above 5,7 tons are not allowed to land at Busia Airport,
- According to circumstances, a minimum runway length of 3,900 feet was required,
- The captain's licences were not up to date,
- The aircraft documentation was not up to date and failed to comply with Kenyan regulations,
- The aircraft's maintenance was performed by technicians who did not have the proper licence and training,
- The aircraft already had in the past several accidents in Congo and Sudan,
- Following one accident in Sudan in 2000, the aircraft was considered as written off by the insurance and the owner, MIA International Ltd, purchased the hull from the insurers, repaired the aircraft and re-registered it, changing the registration from 5Y-MIA to 5Y-EMJ.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E20 in Olkiombo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 2002 at 1330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Let L-410

Operator:

Eagle Aviation - Kenya

Registration:

5Y-ONT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Schedule:

Musiara – Mombasa

MSN:

87 18 12

YOM:

1987

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Circumstances:

After takeoff from Musiara Airport, during initial climb, the crew raised the landing gear and flaps. About 45 seconds after liftoff, the left engine failed. The crew elected to restart it but without success and decided to divert to Olkiombo Airport located 18 km from their position. On approach to runway 09, the aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field. The copilot was killed while 19 other occupants were injured, some seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo near Mugumo

Date & Time: Jul 25, 2002

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a training mission when the crew encountered engine problems. The aircraft crash landed near Mugumo and was damaged beyond repair. All seven occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E9 in Ngerende

Date & Time: Apr 17, 2002

Type of aircraft:

Let L-410

Operator:

United Airlines of Kenya

Registration:

5Y-UAS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ngerende – Nairobi

MSN:

84 13 24

YOM:

1984

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll from a dirt strip (3,900 feet long) at Ngerende, an impala crossed the runway. To avoid a collision, the crew pulled up the control column and started the rotation. Because the airspeed was insufficient, the pilot-in-command put the nose down to gain speed when the aircraft struck the ground and crash landed in a field. All 17 occupants were rescued, among them a passenger was slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in Nairobi

Date & Time: Jul 12, 2000

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208A Caravan

Operator:

Air Bateleur

Registration:

5Y-JAO

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

208-0202

YOM:

1991

Location:

Nairobi-Wilson

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

At liftoff, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed along the runway. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure at takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in Nairobi: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1999 at 0526 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208A Caravan

Operator:

Registration:

5Y-RAN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta (ex Embakasi)

Schedule:

Nairobi - Dar es Salaam

MSN:

208-0037

YOM:

1985

Location:

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from runway 24 at Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta Airport, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed near the runway end. All four occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing a flight to Dar es Salaam on behalf of DHL. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were marginal with strong wind and fog.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E9 in Olkiombo: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1999 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Let L-410

Operator:

Malindi Air Services

Registration:

5Y-LET

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Schedule:

Olkiombo - Mara Shika

MSN:

91 26 20

YOM:

1991

Location:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Olkiombo Airstrip, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were completing a positioning flight to the Mara Shika Airfield, in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, to pick up passengers.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during initial climb after the aircraft stalled because the crew forgot to select flaps in an appropriate angle for takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo in Mandera: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KAF207

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site: