On Friday, March 20, a Safarilink Aviation aircraft registered as 5Y-BXI and operated by Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS) was flying from Kisumu when it crash-landed at Wilson Airport (WIL), in Nairobi. This triggered an emergency response, with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) issuing a report on the incident.
The Incident
The incident took place at 8:55 p.m. local time on Friday evening. By 10:47 p.m., the KAA had posted a statement online informing us that the recovery efforts were still ongoing.
Flight 090, a De Havilland Dash 8-100 arriving from Kisumu International Airport (KIS), veered off the runway (a runway excursion). All 39 people on board – 5 crew members and 34 passengers, including the Vihiga Senator – were safely evacuated. No serious injuries have been reported by the KAA.
Videos began to circulate on social media, and The Kenya Times showed the Dash 8-100 aircraft grounded on the airstrip, with visible signs of distress. The Senator criticised the airport for a lack of emergency response, stating there was no ambulance or rescue team on site immediately following the crash.
The KAA, Safarilink and Senator Responses
The KAA later issued a report on the incident:
“We wish to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe, with no injuries reported. The aircraft remains on site, and recovery efforts are currently underway. Airport operations at Wilson Airport remains normal.”
Safarilink, Kenya’s premier safari airline, stated:
“Safety remains our highest priority,” adding that “We appreciate the swift response of airport emergency services and thank our passengers and crew for their cooperation.”
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was in the aircraft when it veered off the runway. After the incident, he said:
“I commend the pilot for his remarkable skill and presence of mind in controlling the aircraft and steering it off the runway, causing it to stall – an action that averted what could have been a catastrophic fire had the plane continued on the runway.”
This remark comes just days after he spoke about the state of Wilson Airport in the Senate on March 12, after being concerned about the infrastructure and safety.
Past Incidents
In the past, Wilson Airport has handled emergency incidents:
- March 5, 2024: A Safarilink Dash 8 and a 99 Flying Club Cessna 172 training aircraft collided mid-air shortly after takeoff. The Dash 8 landed safely back at the airport, while the Cessna crashed in Nairobi National Park, killing both occupants.
- Dec. 28, 2024: An ALS Dash 8 (5Y-MRE) experienced a landing mishap when its main tyres burst, temporarily closing the runway. No injuries were reported in that incident.
- Aug. 7, 2025: An AMREF Flying Doctors Cessna Citation XLS (5Y-FDM) crashed into a residential building in Mwihoko, Kiambu, shortly after takeoff from the airport. Six people were killed, including four on board and two on the ground.
Following the series of incidents between 2024 and 2026, the Kenya Airports Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) have initiated several structural and operational reforms to address safety gaps. These include: a runway expansion and rehabilitation, a new terminal, improved response protocols and improved drainage and lighting systems.
What are your thoughts on this incident at Wilson Airport? Let us know in the comments down below!
