1987 Air Kenya Aviation DC-3 Accident at Kilaguni Lodge (5Y-DAK)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On August 15, 1987, a Douglas DC-3 47B with registration 5Y-DAK, operated by Air Kenya Aviation Ltd., departed Nanyuki for a charter flight to Kilaguni Lodge and Wilson Airport. The aircraft carried 26 passengers and 3 crew members. Due to poor weather, the flight initially proceeded under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) before switching to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) near the destination. The pilot in command, Timothy John Sargimson, noted difficulty seeing the windsock over Kilaguni, which appeared to indicate a wind from the south. The aircraft landed on runway 19, touching down approximately 50 meters from the threshold. During the landing roll, the wings struck acacia bushes on both sides of the runway. At approximately 130 meters from the threshold, the starboard wing hit a thick acacia bush, causing a section of the wing to break off. The aircraft became uncontrollable, departed the runway at a 45-degree angle, and skidded through the vegetation. The left main undercarriage detached, and the aircraft came to a stop approximately 35 meters from the runway, facing it at a 90-degree angle. The accident occurred at approximately 08:15 UTC. No fatalities or injuries were reported, and passengers evacuated via emergency exits and the main rear door without panic.