Light aircraft crashes within Uhuru Gardens Nairobi, no injuries reported

NAIROBI: A pilot and three passengers Saturday escaped without injuries after a light aircraft crash landed within Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi near Wilson Airport.

Witnesses said the plane registration number 5Y-BME was preparing to land with the four people on board when the incident happened at about 4 pm.

The plane had departed Rea Vipingo in Kilifi and was to land at the airport in Nairobi, officials said.

Police and aviation officials said the plane developed mechanical complications as the pilot prepared to land at the airport.

“No injury was reported as all the occupants of the plane disembarked from the plane after landing in the field,” said airports head of DCI Joseph Ngisa.

The incident happened as the Gardens hosted tens of revellers who are still celebrating the New Year.

They scampered for their safety as it came down. The scene was later secured as experts moved in to investigate the incident.

Fire engines from the Kenya Airports Authority and County Government rushed to the scene when news of the crash went out.

The airport’s surroundings are common with such incidents. A number of accidents involving trainee pilots usually occur in the area mostly as they take off.

Some of the incidents have in the past been fatal.