Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft operating a flight from Busia to Nairobi crashed shortly after departing from Busia Airport. The aircraft was carrying a delegation of the Kenyan government who had made a local visit in Busia following the national elections. Shortly after takeoff from runway 13/31, which is 3,281 feet long, the aircraft encountered difficulties in gaining height. It struck power cables and subsequently crashed onto a house.
Casualties and Damage
Both pilots and a passenger, Labour Minister Ahmed Mohamed Khalif, were killed. Nine other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. There were no casualties on the ground.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified several findings. Flight preparation by the crew was poor. The total weight of the aircraft was estimated to be over 16 tons, well above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). Aircraft over 5.7 tons are not allowed to land at Busia Airport. According to the circumstances, a minimum runway length of 3,900 feet was required. The captain's licences were not up to date. The aircraft documentation was not up to date and failed to comply with Kenyan regulations. The aircraft's maintenance was performed by technicians who did not have the proper licence and training. The aircraft had several previous accidents in Congo and Sudan. Following one accident in Sudan in 2000, the aircraft was considered written off by the insurance and the owner, MIA International Ltd, purchased the hull from the insurers, repaired the aircraft and re-registered it, changing the registration from 5Y-MIA to 5Y-EMJ.