Operations at Wilson Airport were temporarily disrupted on Friday, May 22, after a Dornier 228-202 aircraft crash-landed while attempting to land at the busy Nairobi airport.
Witnesses at the scene said the aircraft appeared to lose control during landing before veering off the runway area. The plane reportedly stopped just before reaching the airport fence along Langata Road, preventing what could have been a more serious incident.
The exact cause of the crash had not been established by the time of publication.
Preliminary reports indicated that no deaths or serious injuries were recorded following the incident. However, authorities had not yet confirmed the exact number of passengers and crew members who were on board at the time of the crash.
The aircraft, identified by registration number 5Y-CES, is known to operate humanitarian and transport missions within the region. Public aviation records show that the plane is frequently leased and used by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which supports humanitarian operations and movement of personnel across East Africa.
Shortly after the incident, emergency response teams arrived at the airport to secure the area and assist passengers and crew. Airport operations were briefly interrupted as officials worked to manage the situation and assess the condition of the aircraft.
Authorities have since launched investigations to determine what may have caused the crash-landing. Aviation experts are expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions, and communication records as part of the inquiry.
By Friday evening, the Kenya Airports Authority had not yet released an official statement regarding the incident, leaving many travelers and members of the public seeking answers about what happened.
The latest incident has also renewed concerns over safety at Wilson Airport, especially after another aircraft accident occurred there just weeks ago.
On March 20, a plane carrying 40 passengers, among them Godfrey Osotsi, crashed at the same airport.
Although no fatalities were reported in that incident, the two accidents happening within a short period have raised fresh questions about operational safety and oversight at one of Kenya’s busiest domestic airports.
