What happened
While operating a flight from Nairobi toward the Masai Mara National Reserve, the pilot of a twin engine aircraft contacted air traffic control to report an emergency caused by a bird strike. Shortly after this communication, the aircraft began an uncontrolled descent, eventually crashing into a prairie area.
Upon impact, the aircraft suffered significant structural failure and disintegrated. The accident resulted in seven fatalities, including six German tourists who were on board. Post-crash investigation revealed that a tip tank and an aileron, both of which had been struck by a Marabu stork, were located over one kilometer away from the primary wreckage site.
Findings
Evidence from the crash site indicates that the aircraft was struck by a Marabu stork. This bird strike caused damage to an aileron and a tip tank, contributing to the loss of control and the subsequent descent of the aircraft.