AH Airways EMB-120 hits zebra on take-off in Serengeti, gear collapses at Kilimanjaro

AH Airways, a Tanzanian safari flight operator, has confirmed that one of its Embraer EMB-120 turboprops hit a zebra as it began its take-off roll from an airstrip in Serengeti National Park. The aircraft's left main landing gear collapsed when it landed later at Kilimanjaro airport.

The aircraft, registered 5H-HLL, was flying from Seronera airstrip to Karume airport on Zanzibar on 4 October. According to the carrier, the zebra crossed the runway as the turboprop reached rotation speed. The crew tried to avoid the animal, but the left main landing gear hit it.

The crew told air traffic controllers what had happened and chose to divert to Kilimanjaro, roughly 150nm to the southeast, with fire, rescue and medical facilities potentially needed. The carrier says passengers were briefed and prepared for a possible emergency landing.

Twenty-six passengers and four crew, 30 people in all, were on board.

On reaching Kilimanjaro the aircraft made a low pass so tower controllers could inspect it visually. They reported that the landing gear appeared to be extended. The captain shut down the left engine shortly before touchdown as a precaution, the carrier says, to lower the risk of fire from a fuel leak and to help keep the aircraft under control.

The left main gear collapsed on landing. The crew kept the turboprop on the runway centreline and stopped it before evacuating everyone on board. No occupant was injured, according to the carrier, which said the crew followed their training throughout.

Tanzania Airports Authority says the landing occurred at 11:50 and led to a temporary suspension of operations at Kilimanjaro, which has a single runway, 09/27. The runway reopened at 16:20.