The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Roads and Transport, has announced the commencement of investigations into the tragic air accident which took place on Tuesday morning, in Kwale County.
In a communique issued by CS Davis Chirchir, investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), have been dispatched to the crash site to probe the cause of the accident.
“In accordance with the provisions of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) have been deployed to the accident site to commence a comprehensive on-site investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event,” Chirchir’s statement read in part.
According to the CS, the fatal plane crash involved a Kenyan-registered commercial aircraft, with registration 5Y-CCA, operated by Mombasa Air Safari.The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan left Diani Airport at approximately 8:25 am, for Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara game reserve.
It lost radar contact with the Mombasa International Airport control center just 10 minutes after takeoff, with the wreckage later found in Tsimba Golini Ward, Matuga Sub-County in Kwale County.
“At 0835 hours local time, the aircraft lost radar contact with the Mombasa International Airport control tower. Immediately thereafter, multi-agency emergency response teams were dispatched, and the wreckage was subsequently located in Tsimba Golini Ward, Matuga Sub-County in Kwale County,” said Chirchir.
Chirchir added that all the 11 occupants on board the aircraft were found to have suffered fatal injuries, as the aircraft was engulfed in flames following the impact.
Mombasa Air Safari confirmed the crash of its aircraft, asserting that passengers who died comprised of eight Hungarians, two Germans and one Kenyan crew member.
“We are profoundly saddened to report that, according to preliminary information, there were 10 passengers and one crew member on board. Sadly, there are no survivors. Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event,” the statement from the company read.
