What happened
On 2 July 2014, a Fokker F50 operated by Skyward International crashed during its departure from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya. The aircraft, registration 5Y-CET, was performing an international cargo flight destined for Mogadishu, Somalia. At the time of the accident, the flight was operating under instrument meteorological conditions.
During the takeoff roll, flight recorder data indicates that both engines reached high power settings. However, a series of audio alerts began approximately 16 seconds after engine acceleration. The crew observed significant anomalies in the left engine, where torque values surged to over 120% while propeller speed dropped significantly. Despite these warnings and various cockpit chimes, the crew proceeded with the takeoff roll.
After reaching rotation speed and transitioning to flight mode, the aircraft climbed to a peak altitude of approximately 5,060 feet. The crew discussed the possibility of returning to the airport, but ultimately decided to continue the flight. Shortly after, ground proximity warning system (GPWS) alerts began sounding. The last recorded communication from the crew involved an attempt to notify air traffic control that the aircraft had lost power, followed by sounds of distress and the end of the recording.
The aircraft crashed at coordinates 01° 17’16”S, 36° 57’5”E, and the impact resulted in 4 fatalities. The wreckage was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the crew chose to proceed with the takeoff despite being aware of an ongoing mechanical issue. Evidence showed that a similar three-chime alert had occurred during a previous positioning flight, yet no remedial maintenance was documented as having been performed. During the accident takeoff roll, the aircraft triggered twenty-seven separate chime alerts.
Further contributing factors included a discrepancy in the cargo weight, which exceeded the figures provided in the load sheet. Additionally, there was no record of any maintenance being conducted on the aircraft since its certificate of airworthiness was issued two months prior to the accident.