Region
Africa

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo in Nairobi: 52 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1992
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo
Operator:
Registration:
KAF214
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Nairobi - Nanyuki
MSN:
123
YOM:
1986
Location:
Nairobi-Eastleigh (Moi Air Base)
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
52
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 06 at Nairobi-Eastleigh Airport (Moi Air Base), while in initial climb, the left engine failed and its propeller autofeathered. The captain contacted ATC, declared an emergency and was cleared to turn left. Following a left hand circuit, the crew again turned to the left and prepared to land on runway 06 when the aircraft entered an area of low clouds. The crew momentarily lost visual contact with the runway when the aircraft stalled and crashed onto several houses located in the district of Kaloleni, less than 2 km short of runway 06 threshold. The aircraft and few houses were destroyed. All 46 occupants as well as 6 people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the left engine failure could not be determined.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Masai Mara

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-BBN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
16097/32845
YOM:
1944
Location:
Masai Mara
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident upon landing on an airport somewhere in the Masai Mara National Reserve. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Masai Mara: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Rally Parts
Registration:
5Y-BGW
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Nairobi - Masai Mara
MSN:
404-0165
YOM:
1978
Location:
Masai Mara
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route from Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve, the pilot declared an emergency and informed ATC he collided with a bird. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a prairie. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all seven occupants were killed, among them six German tourists. A tip tank and an aileron struck by the bird (a Marabu stork) were found more than one km from the main wreckage.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision with a bird (Marabu stork).

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Musiara: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Eagle Aviation - Kenya
Registration:
5Y-SRV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mombasa - Kichwa Tembo
MSN:
31-7300902
YOM:
1973
Location:
Musiara
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route from Mombasa to Kichwa Tembo, the pilot was informed that a DC-3 suffered a mishap upon landing at Musiara Airstrip and apparently decided to make a low pass to show the scene to the passengers. While approaching the airfield at an altitude of 250 feet, the aircraft collided with a white-backed vulture who went through the windshield and killed the pilot instantly. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an in-flight collision with a white-backed vulture weighing 5,4 kilos that struck the windshield and killed the pilot.

Crash of a Boeing 707-321C in Nairobi: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Sudania Air Cargo
Registration:
ST-SAC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Khartoum - Nairobi
MSN:
19377
YOM:
1967
Location:
Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta (ex Embakasi)
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
On approach to Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions. As the crew was unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to abandon the approach and initiated a go-around manoeuver. Few minutes later, while completing a second attempt to land, the aircraft descended below the glide when it struck power cables and crashed 4 km short of runway 06, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew descended below the MDA to establish a visual contact with the ground while approaching the airport in a 500 meters visibility due to fog. The crew failed to follow the published go-around procedures and at the time of the accident, the aircraft was not equipped with a GPWS system.

Crash of a Boeing 707-330B in Nairobi

Date & Time: May 17, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 707
Operator:
Registration:
6O-SBT
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nairobi - Mogadishu
MSN:
19316
YOM:
1967
Location:
Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta (ex Embakasi)
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
57
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen meters past the runway end. All 70 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 200 in Kisumu

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1988 at 0546 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-BBS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nairobi - Kisumu
MSN:
10213
YOM:
1962
Flight number:
KQ650
Location:
Kisumu
Nyanza
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
39
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kisumu Airport, both pilots were focused on discussions about various subjects and failed to monitor the instruments and the approach procedure. The aircraft landed on its belly and slid for few hundred meters before coming to rest on the runway. All 43 occupants were rescued, among them five passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the attention of the crew was focused on various discussions unrelated to the flight operations. Distracted, the crew failed to follow the approach checklist and failed to lower the landing gear. Also, the crew failed to monitor the instruments, causing the aircraft to land at an excessive speed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Kilaguni Lodge: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Sunbird Aviation (Kenya)
Registration:
5Y-DAK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nairobi - Kilaguni Lodge
MSN:
16206/32954
YOM:
1945
Location:
Kilaguni Lodge
Eastern
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
On approach to Kilaguni Lodge Airstrip, the aircraft was too low, struck trees and crashed. Eight occupants were killed and 20 others were rescued.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Nairobi

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-AST
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nairobi – Mombasa
MSN:
31-7452006
YOM:
1974
Location:
Nairobi-Wilson
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while climbing to a height of about 5-10 meters, the left engine failed. The aircraft banked left, causing the left wing to struck the runway surface. Out of control, the aircraft crashed next to the runway and came to rest. All nine occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3M Variant 100 near Mombasa

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1986 at 1257 LT
Type of aircraft:
Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant
Operator:
Malawi Police Air Wing
Registration:
7Q-YAY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1973
YOM:
1980
Location:
Mombasa
Coast
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Mombasa-Moi Airport while on a positioning flight, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crash landed near a road about 18 km from the airport. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Dual engine failure on approach due to a fuel exhaustion.
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