2024 Nairobi mid-air collision
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 5 March 2024 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision |
| Site | over Nairobi National Park, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Total fatalities | 2 |
| Total survivors | 44 |
| First aircraft | |
.jpg) The Dash 8 involved in the incident pictured with a previous registration flying for a previous operator in 2012 | |
| Type | De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300 |
| Operator | Safarilink Aviation |
| IATA flight No. | F2053 |
| ICAO flight No. | XLK053 |
| Call sign | SAFARILINK 053 |
| Registration | 5Y-SLK[1] |
| Flight origin | Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Destination | Ukunda Airport, Diani, Kenya |
| Occupants | 44 |
| Passengers | 39 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 44 |
| Second aircraft | |
 A Cessna 172M, similar to the accident aircraft | |
| Type | Cessna 172 |
| Operator | 99 Flying School |
| Registration | 5Y-NNJ[1] |
| Flight origin | Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Destination | Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya |
| Occupants | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On 5 March 2024, Safarilink Aviation Flight 053, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 en route from Nairobi, Kenya, to Diani, Kenya, collided mid-air with a Cessna 172 training flight operated by 99 Flying School over Nairobi National Park. The Dash 8 was slightly damaged and was forced to return to Nairobi and landed safely with all 44 aboard unharmed, but the Cessna subsequently crashed killing both occupants on board.[2]
Aircraft[edit]
The first aircraft involved in the collision was a De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300, manufacturer serial number 574, and registered as 5Y-SLK. The aircraft was just over 23 years old at the time of the accident and was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 engines.[3]
The second aircraft involved was a Cessna 172, manufacturer serial number 17265726, and registered as 5Y-NNJ. The aircraft was approximately 49 years old.[4]
Accident[edit]
The collision occurred at around 09:45 local time. The crew of the Safarilink aircraft, with flight number 053 and was on its way to Ukunda Airport in the coastal resort town of Diani Beach, reported a "loud bang" that forced the pilots to return to their point of origin at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.[5] The Cessna, which also originated from Wilson Airport and was operated by 99 Flying School, crashed into the grounds of the Nairobi National Park, located approximately ten kilometres from the airport, shortly afterwards.[6]
Passengers and crew[edit]
The Dash 8 was carrying 39 passengers and five crew at the time of the incident. All aboard the aircraft were unharmed.[6]
The Cessna carried a student pilot and an instructor pilot who were both pronounced dead shortly after the crash.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Hradecky, Simon (5 March 2024). "Accident: Safarilink DH8C at Nairobi on Mar 5th 2024, midair collision with light aircraft". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "2 killed in midair plane collision above Nairobi National Park, Kenya police say". ABC News. Associated Press. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "5Y-SLK Operator History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Mid-air collision Accident Cessna 172M Skyhawk 5Y-NNJ,". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Two dead as planes collide mid-air in Nairobi, Kenya". Africanews. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ a b Rukanga, Basillioh (5 March 2024). "Kenya mid-air collision kills student pilot and trainer". BBC News. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Flight student and trainer killed in collision over Kenya's capital". Reuters. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.