What happened
A cargo flight operating from Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta Airport toward Baidoa, Somalia, experienced a critical malfunction during its initial climb. The aircraft, which was transporting 20 drums of fuel intended for the Somali interim government on behalf of the International Red Cross, departed from runway 06. Approximately three minutes into the flight, while maintaining an altitude of roughly 100 feet, the left engine suffered a loss of power.
Upon recognizing the failure, the pilot notified Air Traffic Control and declared an emergency. The controller authorized an immediate return to the airport. The crew proceeded to secure the engine and feather the propeller. However, during the subsequent maneuvering to return to the runway, the aircraft lost altitude. The plane struck a power line and subsequently crashed into a residential building.
Findings
- The flight was carrying a total of 3 crew members.
- The accident resulted in 3 injuries among the crew, with no reported casualties on the ground.
- The primary sequence of events involved an engine power loss leading to a loss of altitude during an emergency turn.