Three Escape Unhurt After Light Aircraft Crash Lands at Olkiombo Airstrip in Maasai Mara
The aircraft, which was travelling from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara, veered off the runway after its nose landing gear reportedly failed to lock into position. Authorities have launched investigations into the incident, while all three occupants escaped without injuries.
Three people escaped unhurt after a light aircraft crash-landed at Olkiombo Airstrip in Narok County following a suspected nose landing gear malfunction during landing.
By Ruth Sang
Three people got away, fairly unhurt on Monday , after a small aircraft had to do an emergency crash landing at Olkiombo Airstrip in Narok West Sub-county. The indication was a suspected nose landing gear problem , though details were still not fully clear.
The plane, registration number 5Y-XCB, was coming from Nairobi towards the well known Maasai Mara National Reserve when the incident happened as it was nearing the landing point.
Early accounts say the aircraft was being handled by Captain Mark Ross, and there were two passengers on board: Margaret Mungai and Claire Clark, who works at Serengeti Camp.
Narok County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia said the trouble started when the aircraft approached the runway and the nose landing gear reportedly failed to lock correctly.
He noted,
“The aircraft veered off to the right side of the runway shortly after touchdown following the landing gear malfunction,” and then added that the immediate shift happened fast.
To avoid more risk, Captain Ross shut down the aircraft’s engine right after landing.
The aircraft finally stopped roughly 50 metres from the runway, not too far, but still enough to keep things under control.
Even with the emergency landing, all three occupants left the aircraft on their own, without injuries. Later they proceeded to Serengeti Camp.
Lobolia said Kenya Police Service officers , together with the Tourist Police Unit and National Police Reservists, reached the scene soon after the incident. Their job was to secure the area and check the situation.
The aircraft is still at the site as investigators work on the real reason behind the reported nose landing gear failure, step by step.
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