Two people were confirmed dead after a mid-air collision between two planes at Nairobi National Park on Tuesday, March 5.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:45 am when a Safarilink Dash-8 5YSLK plane collided with a Cessna 172 5YNNJ during a training session.
The Safarilink plane, carrying 39 passengers and 5 crew members,
was en route to Diani when it experienced a loud bang shortly after take-off from Wilson Airport.
The crew made a quick decision to return to Nairobi-Wilson Airport for further inspection and safely landed.
Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the Safarilink plane.
However, the Cessna plane, owned by Ninety-Nines Flying School, crashed in the park.
Following the incident, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) initiated investigations through-
the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) in collaboration with the National Police Service.
Their objective is to determine the cause of the collision.
The KCAA emphasized that the safety of the public, property, and operators is of utmost importance.
The mid-air collision has raised concerns about aviation safety and the need for thorough investigations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The KCAA and AAID will closely examine the circumstances surrounding the accident,
including factors such as communication, air traffic control, and pilot error.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in aviation and the importance of stringent safety measures.
The KCAA and other relevant authorities will work diligently to identify any lapses and implement necessary improvements to ensure the highest level of safety in the airspace.
The families of the victims are undoubtedly devastated by the loss of their loved ones.
The aviation community and the public at large offer their condolences and support during this difficult time.
As the investigation progresses, it is hoped that valuable insights will be gained-
to prevent similar accidents and enhance aviation safety in Kenya.
