What happened
On the morning of October 11, 2019, a Fokker 27 Mark 050, registration 5Y-IZO, was preparing for a scheduled multi-leg flight departing from Wilson Airport. The flight was intended to serve routes connecting Wilson to Mombasa and Lamu. The aircraft was carrying 50 passengers and 5 crew members at the time of the incident.
Following standard procedures, the aircraft was fueled and passengers boarded without incident. Flight data indicates that the engine startup process, taxiing, and the initial stages of the takeoff roll on runway 11 were normal. However, during the takeoff roll, a significant anomaly occurred involving the engines. Data from the flight recorders showed that the Interstage Turbine Temperature (ITT) on the left-hand engine began to fluctuate sharply, dropping from approximately 707.8 to 175.8.
As the aircraft continued its ground roll, the pilot initiated a power reduction. The indicated airspeed decreased from 110.2 knots, and the aircraft's heading drifted toward 144 degrees. This deviation caused the aircraft to veer right of the runway centerline, leaving the paved surface. The aircraft subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence and crossed an embankment. The sequence ended when the starboard wing made contact with a tree, leaving the aircraft tilted on its side.
Despite the impact, all 55 occupants were successfully evacuated through the left-side doors. The Wilson Airport Fire Service arrived promptly to find the passengers already clear of the wreckage and applied foam to areas where fuel was leaking. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
Findings
Preliminary analysis of the Flight Data Recorder indicates that the left-hand engine ITT fluctuations were the primary factor during the takeoff roll. While other engine parameters remained stable, this temperature drop coincided with the loss of directional control and the subsequent excursion from the runway.