Two people lost their lives on Thursday afternoon when a light aircraft crashed in Kedong Ranch, Naivasha. The victims, a man and a woman, were reportedly related and had taken off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi aboard a Cessna 185 (C185) aircraft belonging to Farmland Aviation Limited.
According to officials, the ill-fated aircraft, registered as 5Y-BVL, departed Wilson Airport at approximately 1:19 p.m. and crashed an hour later at around 2:15 p.m. The duo was en route to Mbaruk when the accident occurred. Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the crash, and investigations are underway.
Naivasha area police boss Charles Mwai stated that poor terrain and adverse weather conditions hampered rescue efforts, which continued into the night. He added that search and rescue operations would resume on Friday morning as teams struggled to navigate the vast and rugged landscape of Kedong Ranch.
Aviation experts, alongside officials from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), were deployed to the crash site to conduct a thorough investigation. Authorities have secured the area in preparation for the investigators’ arrival. KCAA officials are expected to issue a formal statement after assessing the wreckage and gathering preliminary findings.
Farmland Aviation Limited, the operator of the crashed aircraft, specializes in aviation services such as crop spraying, firefighting, pest control, and aerial surveys. Established in 1984, the company prides itself on precision and safety in its operations. However, the latest incident raises concerns about the safety of light aircraft operations in the country.
Accidents involving small aircraft are not uncommon in Kenya, with many incidents involving training aircraft. Investigations into such accidents have been ongoing, though official findings have yet to be made public. Experts cite pilot error, adverse weather conditions, and mechanical failures as the primary causes of such crashes.
The tragic incident has reignited discussions about the safety of light aircraft in Kenya. Aviation analysts and industry stakeholders continue to call for stringent measures to enhance safety standards and mitigate risks associated with flying smaller aircraft. As the investigation unfolds, families of the victims await answers regarding what led to the crash.
More details are expected to emerge as authorities conclude their probe and issue official findings. The aviation community and the public remain on high alert as efforts to improve air safety in Kenya continue.
