A pilot training exercise took a tragic turn on Saturday when an aircraft from the Kenya School of Flying crashed near Ikanga Airstrip in Voi, Taita Taveta County, resulting in the death of the 20-year-old pilot.
The aircraft, which was en route from Malindi, attempted to land at Ikanga Airstrip but crashed approximately 500 metres from the runway.
Confirming the incident, Taita Taveta County Police Commander Ali Ndiema said the plane crashed at about 3pm and burst into flames.
“The aircraft was coming from Malindi and attempted to land at Ikanga Airstrip but tragically crashed just a few metres away, resulting in a fire," he said.
The police commander added that officers from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit and officials from the flying institution were on their way to the crash site to determine the cause of the accident.
"We are waiting for them before we clear the scene," he said.
According to the incident report by the Kenya Airports Police Unit, a flight instructor had dispatched the plane piloted by a 20-year-old student.
The student, who held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), was on a cross-country circuit to Tsavo and was expected to return to Malindi by 3pm.
However, the instructor later received a report from a witness stating that the aircraft had crashed, resulting in the death of the student pilot, who was the sole occupant on board.
Witnesses told Nation.Africa that the aircraft appeared to have encountered difficulties while attempting to land at the airstrip.
"The aircraft hit a tree, then it crashed. Before that, it was making up-and-down movements," said Abdulkadir Salim.
