Kenya | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Few minutes after takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while flying in thick fog, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located about 50 km north of Nairobi. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Lokichoggio

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1998

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-32

Operator:

Avia Trend

Registration:

4K-66759

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lokichogio – Kigali

MSN:

2107

YOM:

1989

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. Both engines suffered a loss of power and the aircraft lost height and crash landed. It went out of control, overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. All four crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire. At the time of the accident, wind was gusting up to 14 knots and several birds were sighted in the vicinity of the airport.

Probable cause:

Bird strike after takeoff.

Crash of a Boeing 707-336C in Mombasa: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1998 at 1635 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 707

Operator:

Registration:

SU-PBA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Mwanza – Mombasa – Cairo – Ostend

MSN:

19843

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

60171

Aircraft flight cycles:

17417

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Mwanza to Ostend with intermediate stops in Mombasa and Cairo, carrying six crew members and a load of 34 tons of fish. After takeoff from runway 03, the aircraft collided with approach lights and an earth mound then crashed few hundred metres past the runway end, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the first portion of 2,600 feet of runway 03 which is 10,991 feet long were not available due to work in progress. It was reported that the total weight of the aircraft was 135 tons.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-12/45 in the Ngong Hills: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1998 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Pilatus PC-12

Operator:

Heading South

Registration:

ZS-OFC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

206

YOM:

1998

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The single engine aircraft was returning to Nairobi with one pilot and eight passengers who were returning to the capital city following a three-day safari and cinema trip. While descending to Nairobi-Wilson Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to mist and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Ngong Hills, about 20 km southwest of Wilson Airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all nine occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot descended below the minimum safe altitude in misty conditions.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo Chieftain near Ngong: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1996 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Kissimayu Aviation

Registration:

5Y-ALA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Nairobi - Mwanza

MSN:

31-541

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Nairobi to Mwanza, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to return to Nairobi-Wilson Airport. Twenty minutes after takeoff, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in the Ngong Hills, near Ngong. All eight occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo in Nairobi: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1996

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo

Operator:

Registration:

JW9022

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

YOM:

1979

Location:

Nairobi-Eastleigh (Moi Air Base)

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons, killing all five crew members.

Crash of a Cessna F406 Caravan II in Nairobi

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1995

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 406 Caravan

Operator:

Tawakal Airlines

Registration:

5Y-ING

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

406-0024

YOM:

1988

Location:

Nairobi-Wilson

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Nairobi-Wilson Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-T1040 Cheyenne II in Nairobi: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1995 at 0348 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31 Cheyenne

Operator:

United Airlines of Kenya

Registration:

5Y-UAC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Nairobi - Mogadishu

MSN:

31-8375002

YOM:

1983

Location:

Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta (ex Embakasi)

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport runway 07 by night, while in initial climb, the pilot declared an emergency and reported engine problems. He was cleared to divert to the nearest airport of Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta. Shortly later, while on approach to runway 06, the pilot attempted to avoid a collision with power cables when control was lost. The aircraft rolled to the left and crashed in a field located 4,5 km short of runway. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

An investigation of the wreckage showed that the right propeller had been feathered prior to impact. It was also discovered that the beta block for the right propeller had probably been missing prior to impact, which would have allowed the reversing lever to move freely around. Other components of the reverser system for the right propeller were found to be 'badly worn'. No discussion of the reverser system is included in the analysis and no conclusions as to the significance of the apparent damage to the system are included in the accident report.

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Mombasa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1995

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Equator Airlines

Registration:

5Y-PAL

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

402B-0584

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Mombasa-Daniel Arap Moi Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field located 20 km south of the airport. Both passengers were seriously injured and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Ngong Hills: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1994

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

Registration:

5Y-SMR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Nairobi - Goma

MSN:

31-8252001

YOM:

1982

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Fifteen minutes after takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while flying in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Ngong Hills, about 21 km southwest of Wilson Airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.