History of the Flight
The aircraft departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 0450 UTC on a scheduled flight to Kisumu Airport. Cruise was normal. During final approach to Runway 07, the crew noted that speed was not decaying and the aircraft felt overpowered. The gear warning horn sounded and was silenced by the pilot-in-command. The aircraft landed on its belly, skidded on the runway, and came to a halt approximately 600 meters from Threshold 07.
Eyewitnesses on board reported that the undercarriage was never seen extended during finals and touchdown. The aircraft veered gradually to the right, with the left engine propeller blades striking the ground, causing the aircraft to tilt to port. The crew was unaware that the undercarriage was not extended. Passengers became apprehensive when they saw the aircraft with wheels retracted. Cabin crew opened the rear left door and evacuated passengers safely; no one was hurt.
Injuries
No injuries were sustained by crew or passengers.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained severe damage to the belly skin and underside aerials. The port propeller blades were bent at the tips from ground contact during the skid. The runway sustained superficial abrasions.
Crew Information
The pilot-in-command held a valid ATPL and was rated on the F-27. The co-pilot held a commercial license. The investigation noted that the pilot-in-command had been involved in a previous accident in 1987 while operating an F-27.
Investigation Findings
Analysis of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed that the crew was engaged in a wide-ranging conversation, including company politics and appointments. Landing checks and final checks were not performed per the airline checklist. When the first officer requested landing checks, the captain finished his conversation before calling out a partial list, omitting key items including undercarriage down, flaps, fuel trim, and altimeter cross-check. The captain later called out approach and threshold target speeds, but the undercarriage remained retracted. The gear warning horn sounded just before touchdown, but the captain did not respond appropriately. The CVR transcript showed that the captain stated the aircraft was overpowered and that the horn would have switched off if required speeds were attained. The final checks that would have revealed the undercarriage position were not completed.
The controller at Kisumu Tower had a duty to advise the pilot on safety matters, including undercarriage position, but did not do so. However, a simulated flight determined that it was not possible for someone at the tower with average vision to see the undercarriage position until short finals, so the controller's statement was considered truthful.
Additional findings noted deficiencies in airport emergency services: only one fire vehicle was serviceable out of four, it had no working radio, firemen lacked proper protective clothing, there was no ambulance, and the crash alarm had been out of order for at least two months due to an electrical fault.