Kenya Loss
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From Sky
A 24-seat Gulfstream aircraft carrying members of Kenya's cabinet has crashed in the west of the country.
The labour minister, Ahmad Khalif, and two pilots are reported dead. Three other ministers have been injured.
It is thought that the plane clipped powerlines soon after take-off from Busia airport.
Other ministers on the plane included the water resources minister, the minister of state in the office of vice-president, the information and tourism minister and the assistant justice minister.
The plane was going to the lake Victoria post of Kisumi where the officials were to attend the commemoration of the death of one of the east African nation's leading opposition figures nine years ago.
A 24-seat Gulfstream aircraft carrying members of Kenya's cabinet has crashed in the west of the country.
The labour minister, Ahmad Khalif, and two pilots are reported dead. Three other ministers have been injured.
It is thought that the plane clipped powerlines soon after take-off from Busia airport.
Other ministers on the plane included the water resources minister, the minister of state in the office of vice-president, the information and tourism minister and the assistant justice minister.
The plane was going to the lake Victoria post of Kisumi where the officials were to attend the commemoration of the death of one of the east African nation's leading opposition figures nine years ago.
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From Busia on the border with Uganda.
Presume a G-1 as a few operate there.
Not a long strip, grass.
Plenty of people around and on the strip when I landed there.
Can't remember the length but not that long considering the density altitude but ok in a C-402.
Can't remember power lines but tuskers have taken a few brain cells.
Presume a G-1 as a few operate there.
Not a long strip, grass.
Plenty of people around and on the strip when I landed there.
Can't remember the length but not that long considering the density altitude but ok in a C-402.
Can't remember power lines but tuskers have taken a few brain cells.
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I remember digging out our G1 from the tar taxiway to RWY 07 in front of the Aero Club of East Africa back in early 1993. The G1 was very heavy and sank through the edge of the taxiway on its first day of service. After that we used to regulary fly spare wheels out to it in Somalia due to it blowing tires from its dirt strip operation. I'm sure there are more suitable aircarft to operate from the bush, especially in hot high conditions. I wonder why the Government didn't use it's Buffalo's?
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Here's a bit more...
http://allafrica.com/stories/200301240734.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/200301240734.html
Minister Khalif, Two pilots killed in plane crash
The Nation (Nairobi)
January 25, 2003
Posted to the web January 24, 2003
Nairobi
One Cabinet minister was killed and four other ministers were injured when their light aircraft crashed on take-off yesterday.
Labour minister Ahmed Khalif was confirmed dead at the scene, along with both pilots.
Early, unconfirmed reports suggested three other passengers had also been killed.
Ministers Raphael Tuju, Joshua Toro, Lina Kilimo and Martha Karua were cut from the wreckage, at Busia airstrip, and taken to the local district hospital after being given first aid.
One of the pilots was identified as Abdikadir Mahat Kuno, son of millionaire Mahat Kuno Roble.
Mr Kuno in his early 30s and single is also the nephew of former minister Hussein Maalim Mohamed and retired Chief of General Staff Mohamed Mohamud.
Mr Mahat who lived in Nairobi's Westlands area hailed from Garissa district.
Hamisi MP George Khaniri was taken to Tanaka nursing home, next to the airstrip.
The survivors were later being airlifted by helicopter to Kisumu, some 100 kilometres from the crash site, where they were being met by an 11-seater plane which would fly them to hospital in Nairobi.
The ministers were on their way back to Nairobi from a party at the rural home of their Cabinet colleague, Home Affairs minister Moody Awori, at Funyala.
Mr Awori, who was not on the plane, arrived at the scene moments after the crash accompanied by Attorney General Amos Wako, who called the flying doctor service from Nairobi.
Mr Khalif died only minutes after completing his Friday prayers. The flight had been delayed for 20 minutes to allow him to visit a mosque near the airstrip.
President Mwai Kibaki was told of the tragedy in his hospital bed and was being kept informed of developments by the State House Comptroller Matere Keriri.
The crash happened when the 24-seater plane - call sign 5 YEMJ - suddenly lost power and nose-dived seconds after take-off.
"I'm lucky to be alive," shocked survivor Information and Tourism minister Mr Tuju told the Nation.
Speaking from Busia district hospital at about 8.15pm he said the runway was too short and the pilot could not have made it.
Mr Tuju said he suffered chest injuries and had pain all over his body.
The plane hit trees, electric poles and landed on top of a house, he said.
Other witnesses said the pilot had difficult dodging potholes on the airstrip and possibly left his take-off too late.
Witnesses said the plane's right wing clipped power lines at the end of the runway, causing the plane to plunge into a house.
The accident caused a power blackout in nearby Busia.
Police and members of the public who had rushed to the crash site were tearing into the wreckage with axes and machetes to free the victims.
Good Samaritans lent their cars to ferry the injured to Busia district hospital.
The injured ministers Ms Martha Karua and Mrs Linah Kilimo were found lying in the bush by rescue workers, directed by Busia police chief Richard Kerich.
Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi and Butere MP Wycliffe Oparanya who spoke to the Nation from the scene said the plane was carrying about 20 people.
"Most of MPs from Western Province had remained behind," said Mr Kituyi, "the plane was to make a stop in Kisumu to drop some people there."
It is understood that two ministers - Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Fred Gumo - were at the Awori party but left by road.
The MP for Amogoro, Mr Sospeter Ojaamong' whose constituency neighbours Funyula acted as party co-host with Mr Awori.
He told the Nation on the telephone: "I and Hon Awori were bidding farewell to our guests after the successful rally and thanksgiving."
There were about 10 of our guests in the aircraft.
He said the plane took off on the middle of the runway but the pilot seemed to have lost direction and power. One of the wings hit a building and it came tumbling down," he said.
"The trouble was with the runway. The airstrip is in a mess because of the potholes on the run-way," said the MP.
"It was like the pilot was doing guesswork trying to take off while avoiding potholes. When he managed to take off in the middle of the runway, it was obvious he had lost direction. This is when he hit the building," added the MP.
Mr Ojaamong' said the co-pilot was thrown out of the aircraft and died on impact.
The pilot handling the controls was removed dead from the wreckage.
Mr Ojaamong' confirmed the death of Minister Khalif but said that the other ministers, Martha Karua, Linah Kilimo, Raphael Tuju and Hamisi MP George Khaniri were rescued from the wreckage while unconscious and taken to Tanaka Hospital. They were then transfered to Busia District Hospital because of a blackout occasioned by the clash. Most of them, the MP said, had visible injuries.
When Mrs Kilimo regained consciousness, she began to wail because of pain. Ms Karua was reported to be stable after regaining conciousness.
The MP said that the dignitaries arrived at the airstrip at about 11am for the party that started at about noon.
Another witness, Mr Dennis Owiti, said the plane failed to gather momentum and crashed some 200m from the airstrip.
"The plane took off successfully at about 5.20pm but failed to climb into the sky. It hit an electric poll and was brought down by the electric wires. It fell on a house still under construction," he said.
He said he saw the body of the pilot and his assistant being carried from the plane by the police.
The Nation (Nairobi)
January 25, 2003
Posted to the web January 24, 2003
Nairobi
One Cabinet minister was killed and four other ministers were injured when their light aircraft crashed on take-off yesterday.
Labour minister Ahmed Khalif was confirmed dead at the scene, along with both pilots.
Early, unconfirmed reports suggested three other passengers had also been killed.
Ministers Raphael Tuju, Joshua Toro, Lina Kilimo and Martha Karua were cut from the wreckage, at Busia airstrip, and taken to the local district hospital after being given first aid.
One of the pilots was identified as Abdikadir Mahat Kuno, son of millionaire Mahat Kuno Roble.
Mr Kuno in his early 30s and single is also the nephew of former minister Hussein Maalim Mohamed and retired Chief of General Staff Mohamed Mohamud.
Mr Mahat who lived in Nairobi's Westlands area hailed from Garissa district.
Hamisi MP George Khaniri was taken to Tanaka nursing home, next to the airstrip.
The survivors were later being airlifted by helicopter to Kisumu, some 100 kilometres from the crash site, where they were being met by an 11-seater plane which would fly them to hospital in Nairobi.
The ministers were on their way back to Nairobi from a party at the rural home of their Cabinet colleague, Home Affairs minister Moody Awori, at Funyala.
Mr Awori, who was not on the plane, arrived at the scene moments after the crash accompanied by Attorney General Amos Wako, who called the flying doctor service from Nairobi.
Mr Khalif died only minutes after completing his Friday prayers. The flight had been delayed for 20 minutes to allow him to visit a mosque near the airstrip.
President Mwai Kibaki was told of the tragedy in his hospital bed and was being kept informed of developments by the State House Comptroller Matere Keriri.
The crash happened when the 24-seater plane - call sign 5 YEMJ - suddenly lost power and nose-dived seconds after take-off.
"I'm lucky to be alive," shocked survivor Information and Tourism minister Mr Tuju told the Nation.
Speaking from Busia district hospital at about 8.15pm he said the runway was too short and the pilot could not have made it.
Mr Tuju said he suffered chest injuries and had pain all over his body.
The plane hit trees, electric poles and landed on top of a house, he said.
Other witnesses said the pilot had difficult dodging potholes on the airstrip and possibly left his take-off too late.
Witnesses said the plane's right wing clipped power lines at the end of the runway, causing the plane to plunge into a house.
The accident caused a power blackout in nearby Busia.
Police and members of the public who had rushed to the crash site were tearing into the wreckage with axes and machetes to free the victims.
Good Samaritans lent their cars to ferry the injured to Busia district hospital.
The injured ministers Ms Martha Karua and Mrs Linah Kilimo were found lying in the bush by rescue workers, directed by Busia police chief Richard Kerich.
Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi and Butere MP Wycliffe Oparanya who spoke to the Nation from the scene said the plane was carrying about 20 people.
"Most of MPs from Western Province had remained behind," said Mr Kituyi, "the plane was to make a stop in Kisumu to drop some people there."
It is understood that two ministers - Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Fred Gumo - were at the Awori party but left by road.
The MP for Amogoro, Mr Sospeter Ojaamong' whose constituency neighbours Funyula acted as party co-host with Mr Awori.
He told the Nation on the telephone: "I and Hon Awori were bidding farewell to our guests after the successful rally and thanksgiving."
There were about 10 of our guests in the aircraft.
He said the plane took off on the middle of the runway but the pilot seemed to have lost direction and power. One of the wings hit a building and it came tumbling down," he said.
"The trouble was with the runway. The airstrip is in a mess because of the potholes on the run-way," said the MP.
"It was like the pilot was doing guesswork trying to take off while avoiding potholes. When he managed to take off in the middle of the runway, it was obvious he had lost direction. This is when he hit the building," added the MP.
Mr Ojaamong' said the co-pilot was thrown out of the aircraft and died on impact.
The pilot handling the controls was removed dead from the wreckage.
Mr Ojaamong' confirmed the death of Minister Khalif but said that the other ministers, Martha Karua, Linah Kilimo, Raphael Tuju and Hamisi MP George Khaniri were rescued from the wreckage while unconscious and taken to Tanaka Hospital. They were then transfered to Busia District Hospital because of a blackout occasioned by the clash. Most of them, the MP said, had visible injuries.
When Mrs Kilimo regained consciousness, she began to wail because of pain. Ms Karua was reported to be stable after regaining conciousness.
The MP said that the dignitaries arrived at the airstrip at about 11am for the party that started at about noon.
Another witness, Mr Dennis Owiti, said the plane failed to gather momentum and crashed some 200m from the airstrip.
"The plane took off successfully at about 5.20pm but failed to climb into the sky. It hit an electric poll and was brought down by the electric wires. It fell on a house still under construction," he said.
He said he saw the body of the pilot and his assistant being carried from the plane by the police.
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Busia
As you can see , very conflicting reports as for the causes .Initially , from eye witnesses the airplane did take off and then hit cables .The thing astonishing all pilots knowing busia airstrip is that a) somebody decided to send a G1 there (we don't even allow a C--310 anymore-runway conditions dictate a caravan relatively light).
b) that the crew managed to land at all .
Two pilots are dead , ID of the co-driver still unknown .Cabin crew alive with bad injuries .1 pax dead and 9 injured (various degs).
One medivac from the airstrip managed at about 830 pm by an AMREF caravan , the rest by Police airwing helicopters later .
sad,sad,sad
b) that the crew managed to land at all .
Two pilots are dead , ID of the co-driver still unknown .Cabin crew alive with bad injuries .1 pax dead and 9 injured (various degs).
One medivac from the airstrip managed at about 830 pm by an AMREF caravan , the rest by Police airwing helicopters later .
sad,sad,sad
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just heard on the radio ,"the licence of the air operator who was operating the aircraft that crashed in Busia has been revoked by the minister of transport" ,allegedly for violating the Maximum weight requirements (read Bearing strength or PCN) of Busia Airstrip .The Airplane was weighing more than 16t for an AIP published PCN estimated at 5,7t .
Only in Africa ??? You wish mate !
Only in Africa ??? You wish mate !
