Synopsis
On 22 August 2012 at approximately 0920 UTC, a Let 410 UVP-E9 aircraft (registration 5Y-UVP) operated by Mombasa Air Safari crashed near Ngerende Airstrip in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with terrain. There was no post-crash fire. The accident resulted in four fatal injuries, three serious injuries, and six minor injuries among the 13 occupants (2 crew and 11 passengers).
Flight History
The aircraft departed Moi International Airport Mombasa with an intended flight plan to Ukunda, Amboseli Airstrip, Ngerende Airstrip, Mara North, Olkiombo, and back to Mombasa. After landing at Ngerende at 0911 UTC and disembarking six passengers, the aircraft took off again at 0917 UTC with 13 souls on board for the next leg to Mara North Airstrip. No new passengers, cargo, or refueling occurred at Ngerende. Witnesses reported a normal takeoff and rotation, but during initial climb the aircraft veered sharply to the left and disappeared behind terrain, followed by a loud sound and dust. Search and rescue initiated immediately located the wreckage approximately 310 meters from the threshold of Runway 28, offset 30° left of the extended centerline.
Injuries to Persons
The crew of two sustained fatal injuries. Among the 11 passengers, two suffered fatal injuries, three serious injuries, and six minor injuries. No other persons were involved.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Let 410 UVP-E9, serial number 912627, manufactured in 1995 and registered in Kenya on 19 July 1999. It was powered by two Walter M601E engines. The certificate of airworthiness was valid, renewed on 7 August 2012, and the last scheduled inspection (P-1 check) was completed on 17 August 2012. The aircraft was fitted with a flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which were recovered.
Personnel Information
The captain, Edward Mwinzi Kithoi, aged 59, held an Airline Transport Pilot License, valid until 6 September 2012, and a current class one medical certificate. He had approximately 9,800 total flying hours, including 7,480 hours on the Let 410 UVP-E9. The first officer, aged 24, held a Commercial Pilot License valid until 2 July 2013 and a current class one medical certificate. He had 312 hours on the Let 410 UVP-E9 type.
Meteorological and Aerodrome Information
The flight was conducted under visual flight rules. Weather at the airfield was reported as CAVOK with calm winds. Ngerende Airstrip is an unmanned airstrip with a murram runway approximately 1,250 meters in length, equipped with a windsock but no navigation aids.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The main wreckage was located about 310 meters from the threshold of Runway 28 in a field with low vegetation. The wreckage spread was contained within a 10–20 meter radius. Both engines detached from their wing mounts. The fuselage broke into three sections: the nose section (up to frame #7) was completely destroyed; the mid-section (frames #7 to #14) sustained substantial deformation; the tail section (frame #14 aft) remained mostly intact but deformed. The main landing gear remained extended and intact; the nose gear was displaced upward. The surrounding bushes were destroyed by collision and oil spillage.
Survival Aspects
Search and rescue teams reached the crash site within approximately seven minutes. The cockpit was completely destroyed, and the crew sustained fatal injuries. The forward section of the passenger cabin was also destroyed, resulting in fatal injuries to two passengers. The aft section sustained minor damage, and passengers seated there sustained minor injuries. Survivors were evacuated to Nairobi for medical assistance.
Medical and Pathological Information
The postmortem report for the captain indicated cause of death as cardiorespiratory failure due to severe head and chest injuries sustained in the crash. The first officer's postmortem was not conducted due to religious restrictions. Postmortem reports for the two deceased passengers were pending from German authorities.
Flight Recorders
Both the flight data recorder (serial 50858) and cockpit voice recorder (serial N-20076) were fitted and recovered from the wreckage.
Fire
There was no post-crash fire.
Other Damage
Collision and oil spillage destroyed surrounding bushes.