An unexpected tragedy unfolded on a sunny Friday afternoon in Malindi, a serene town along Kenya’s north coast. The tranquility was abruptly shattered when a light aircraft made a dramatic crash landing on a roadside, claiming the lives of three individuals, according to local police.
Kilifi County Police Commander, Joseph Ongwae, reported that the ill-fated aircraft, tagged as 5Y-CDC, departed from Malindi Airport, aiming for Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Trouble brewed shortly after takeoff when the aircraft, which was piloted with an instructor and a student on board, encountered severe mechanical issues. The flight only spanned a short distance before crashing about two kilometers from the airport at precisely 2:52 p.m. local time.
“The unfortunate landing wreaked havoc, impacting several motorcycles in the vicinity,” Ongwae shared. Despite the dramatic crash, the pilot, along with the instructor and student, miraculously survived. However, fate was not as kind to two motorcycle taxi riders and a passenger, who perished under the aircraft’s weight.
The harrowing incident sent shockwaves through the community, vividly captured in video footage circulating online. These clips reveal the scattered remains of the aircraft strewn across the road, some parts engulfed in fierce flames—a testament to the fiery impact. Additional photos expose the heartbreak as nearby makeshift structures were also caught in the inferno, though swift action by fire engines brought the roaring blaze under control.
In response to the crash, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) promptly launched an investigation. Their initial findings confirmed the survival of all three onboard occupants, who were quickly ferried to the hospital for treatment. Yet, the KCAA’s press release somberly acknowledged the unfortunate loss of life on the ground, stating, “Regrettably, three people succumbed to this tragic event. Government bodies are already combing the site to unravel the incident’s underlying causes.”
This heartbreaking accident highlights the unpredictable nature of life, leaving both a sense of relief for the survivors and deep mourning for those who lost their lives in the blink of an eye. As authorities work diligently to uncover the roots of this catastrophe, the close-knit community of Malindi must navigate the haze of grief and gratitude, bound by the shared experience of an ordinary day turned extraordinary.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
