No fatalities

Dual Engine Failure Leads to Bush Crash Landing with No Fatalities (VP-KCU)

Garsen, KenyaFlight

On June 28, 1946, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration VP-KCU) operated by East African Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Garsen, Kenya in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Double engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft suffered a total loss of power due to fuel exhaustion, forcing an emergency landing in a bush area where all eight occupants were safely rescued.

What happened

During the enroute phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical failure resulting in the loss of both engines. This sudden lack of thrust compelled the pilot to initiate an emergency procedure, selecting a nearby bush area as the only viable site for a forced landing. The aircraft made contact with the ground and crash landed, sustaining damage that rendered it beyond repair. Despite the severity of the impact and the total loss of the airframe, all 8 occupants on board were successfully rescued from the wreckage.

Findings

The official investigation determined that the immediate cause of the accident was a double engine failure. This event was traced back to fuel exhaustion, indicating that the aircraft had run out of usable fuel before reaching its intended destination or an alternate airfield.

Probable cause

Double engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion.