What happened
On 15 August 1987, a Douglas DC-3 (registration 5Y-DAK) operated by Air Kenya Aviation Limited was performing a charter flight from Wilson Airport via Nanyuki to Kilaguni. The flight, carrying 26 passengers and three crew members, encountered rain showers prior to arrival. Upon approaching Kilaguni Lodge Airstrip, the pilot in command faced difficulty determining wind direction and velocity because the windsock was largely destroyed, leaving only a mounting ring and small fabric remnants.
Believing the wind was from the south, the pilot elected to land on runway 19. During the landing roll, approximately 90 metres from the threshold, the aircraft's wings struck the tops of acacia bushes on both sides of the runway. As the aircraft continued down the runway, the starboard wing struck a tree, causing a portion of the wing to break off. The aircraft then veered at a 45-degree angle, departing the runway surface. The port main undercarriage subsequently detached after striking a rock. The aircraft skidded through the scrub and came to a halt 35 metres from the runway, facing it at a 90-degree angle. There were no fatalities or injuries among the occupants.
The investigation
The investigation examined the runway conditions at Kilaguni, the information provided to the crew, and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators noted that the runway lacked a proper runway strip, and acacia trees approximately 15 feet high had encroached upon the usable width of the runway. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the communications between Air Kenya operations and the flight crew regarding recent maintenance at the airstrip.
Findings
- The pilot in command was aware of the encroaching vegetation during the final approach but proceeded with the landing based on previous assurances.
- Air Kenya Operations provided the pilot with false information, stating that the bushes along the runway edges had been cleared the previous evening.
- The windsock was non-functional, leaving the crew without a reliable method to ascertain surface wind direction or speed.
- The aircraft's wingspan was too wide for the effective width of the runway as restricted by the encroaching trees.
- The operator failed to ensure the suitability of the aerodrome for the specific aircraft type in accordance with Kenya Air Navigation Regulations.