ShenziRubani
5th Feb 2006, 13:15
"East African Standard
By Cyrus Ombati
Two people died after a plane crashed near Wilson Airport in Nairobi and burst into flames.
The two-seater private aircraft crashed into a pit latrine about 50 meters from the runway immediately after take-off. The pilot, Mr David Penrose, and a male friend were headed for Mweiga airstrip in Nyeri when the plane crashed. The plane, 5YPDS, belonged to Penrose.
Authorities said the plane took off at 7.01 am and crashed a minute later as the pilot tried to turn back to land. He had called the control tower and said the aircraft had a mechanical problem, but crashed as he turned back to the runway.
The bodies of the two victims were burnt beyond recognition as villagers of Mitumba, slums where it crashed, made efforts to put out the fire.
A witness, Ms Hadja Yusuf, said she was going into one of the latrines when she saw the aircraft coming down.
“I heard it make a funny sound as I entered the latrine and suddenly heard it pass near my head before I jumped out. It then made a u-turn heading back to the airport but crashed about 10 meters from where I was and burst into flames as I screamed for help,” she said.
Slum residents tried to fight the fire with soil and twigs in vain. Penrose was in the meantime making efforts to jump out. He fell out and tried to pull out his friend but they were burnt to death before he could save him. Fire fighters arrived moments later but it was too late .
Penrose was a Kenyan citizen of British origin and his family owns light aircrafts, which operate in the country. A family friend, Collins Davis, said he was heading to Nyeri, where the family owns ranches."
My Thoughts and prayerts to the families
By Cyrus Ombati
Two people died after a plane crashed near Wilson Airport in Nairobi and burst into flames.
The two-seater private aircraft crashed into a pit latrine about 50 meters from the runway immediately after take-off. The pilot, Mr David Penrose, and a male friend were headed for Mweiga airstrip in Nyeri when the plane crashed. The plane, 5YPDS, belonged to Penrose.
Authorities said the plane took off at 7.01 am and crashed a minute later as the pilot tried to turn back to land. He had called the control tower and said the aircraft had a mechanical problem, but crashed as he turned back to the runway.
The bodies of the two victims were burnt beyond recognition as villagers of Mitumba, slums where it crashed, made efforts to put out the fire.
A witness, Ms Hadja Yusuf, said she was going into one of the latrines when she saw the aircraft coming down.
“I heard it make a funny sound as I entered the latrine and suddenly heard it pass near my head before I jumped out. It then made a u-turn heading back to the airport but crashed about 10 meters from where I was and burst into flames as I screamed for help,” she said.
Slum residents tried to fight the fire with soil and twigs in vain. Penrose was in the meantime making efforts to jump out. He fell out and tried to pull out his friend but they were burnt to death before he could save him. Fire fighters arrived moments later but it was too late .
Penrose was a Kenyan citizen of British origin and his family owns light aircrafts, which operate in the country. A family friend, Collins Davis, said he was heading to Nyeri, where the family owns ranches."
My Thoughts and prayerts to the families