Fatal Mid-Air Collision in Nairobi: Dash 8 and Cessna 172 Involved

In a tragic incident in Nairobi, Kenya, two individuals were killed following a mid-air collision between a Dash 8 passenger aircraft and a Cessna 172 training plane. The accident occurred on the morning of February 21, 2024, causing immediate concern within the aviation community.

According to local law enforcement, the Dash 8, operated by SafariLink Aviation, and the Cessna 172, belonging to the 99 Flying School, came into contact in the airspace above Nairobi. The collision resulted in the loss of life for both the student pilot and their instructor aboard the Cessna 172.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) released a statement shortly after the incident, confirming the occurrence and detailing the involvement of the two aircraft. “We regret to report a fatal accident at 10:05hrs involving a Cessna aircraft from Ninety-Nines Flying School and a Dash 8 from Safarilink Aviation,” the statement read. The KCAA also announced that an investigation led by the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) and supported by the National Police Service is underway to determine the cause of the tragic accident.

The KCAA emphasized the importance of safety for the public, property, and ongoing operations within Kenya’s aviation sector as investigations proceed. This incident has brought renewed focus on the need for stringent safety protocols and oversight within the region’s airspace to prevent future tragedies.