Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) experts commenced a thorough investigation on Tuesday to determine the cause of a mid-air collision involving two airplanes near Wilson Airport. The authority plans to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the voice recorder to piece together events from the moment the two planes took off until the tragic incident, with the intention of issuing a detailed report.
The collision, which involved a Diani-bound aircraft and another from a flight school, resulted in the loss of two lives. One aspect under scrutiny is why the planes were flying in such close proximity and whether the pilots adhered to standard aviation practices.
According to aviation experts interviewed by the Nation, possibilities include the pilots ignoring air traffic control instructions or not receiving them in a timely manner. Captain Nick Ng’ethe of Samanthair Simulator Flight Training emphasized the rarity of aviation accidents, describing them as “a really big deal.” He expressed that it is uncommon for trainee pilots to navigate commercial routes, emphasizing the importance of clear instructions regarding flight altitude.
Globally, air traffic control (ATC) plays a pivotal role in preventing collisions, organizing air traffic flow, and assisting pilots. KCAA, responsible for regulating Kenya’s aviation industry and providing air traffic control services, operates a fully-equipped control tower at Wilson Airport, as confirmed by Salim Bakari, head of communications at KCAA.
The investigation revealed that the casualties were aboard a Cessna 172, registration 5YNNJ, operated by Ninety Nines Flying School, which collided with a Safarilink aircraft. While all 39 passengers and five crew on the Safarilink flight survived, the circumstances leading to the collision are still under scrutiny.
Safarilink Aviation released a statement confirming the mid-air collision and detailing the decision to return to Nairobi Wilson Airport for further inspection. The CEO of Safarilink declined to speak to journalists, and the wreckage of the smaller plane, depicting the tragic final moments of the flight instructor and trainee, remained in Nairobi National Park, cordoned off by the police.
