Synopsis
On 7 December 2024, a Beechcraft Baron 58, registration 5Y-LOL, operated by West Rift Aviation Limited, was involved in a serious incident at Wilson Airport, Nairobi County, Kenya. The aircraft conducted a training flight with two persons on board—an instructor pilot and a student pilot. During the landing, the aircraft touched down with its landing gear retracted, resulting in a belly landing. No injuries were reported, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Flight History
The flight departed Wilson Airport around 1252 UTC (1552 local time) and returned to the same airport for landing. The intended landing point was also Wilson Airport. During the approach, the landing gear was not extended, and the aircraft made contact with the runway surface on its belly. The exact circumstances leading to the gear-up landing are detailed in the official investigation.
Injuries
According to the report, there were no injuries to the two occupants: the instructor pilot and the student pilot. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from the incident.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft, a 1972 Beechcraft Baron 58, sustained substantial damage. The propeller blades on both engines were damaged from striking the runway surface. The belly section of the aircraft was scraped and damaged. Slash marks from the propeller blades were visible on the runway.
Personnel Information
The pilot in command was an instructor pilot with 23,167 hours of flying experience. The other occupant was a student pilot. Both were qualified for the training flight. Their specific qualifications and experience are documented in the full report.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58, manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc. in 1972. It was equipped with two Continental IO-520-CB8B engines. The aircraft was registered to West Rift Aviation Limited on 22 September 2021. The landing gear system includes warning and indication systems, which were examined during the investigation.
Investigation
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) of the Ministry of Roads and Transport conducted the investigation. The incident was classified as a serious incident under ICAO Annex 13. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States was notified as the state of design and manufacture. The investigation focused on the landing gear system, electrical system, and crew decision-making.
Conclusion
The official investigation report includes findings, probable causes, and contributing factors. The probable cause, as stated in the report, is not detailed in the provided source. The report also contains safety recommendations addressed to relevant parties.