2024 Nairobi mid-air collision

On 5 March 2024, Safarilink Aviation Flight 053, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 en route from Nairobi, Kenya, to Diani, Kenya, collided mid-air with a Cessna 172M training flight operated by 99 Flying School over Nairobi National Park. The Dash 8 was slightly damaged and was forced to return to Nairobi and landed safely with all 44 aboard unharmed, but the Cessna crashed killing both occupants.

Aircraft and crew
The first aircraft involved in the collision was a De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315, manufacturer serial number 574, and registered as 5Y-SLK. The aircraft was 22 years old at the time of the accident and was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123E engines. The flight consisted of 39 passengers and five crew members. The captain had 7,500 flight hours, with 1,600 hours on the type and the first officer had 3,200 flight hours, with 110 hours on the type.

The second aircraft involved was a Cessna 172M, registered 5Y-NNJ with serial number 172-65726. The aircraft was around 48 years old at the time of the accident and was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine. The flight crew consisted of an instructor pilot and a student pilot. The instructor had 700 flight hours, while the student pilot had accumulated 50 flight hours.

Accident
The collision occurred at around 09:34 GMT (6:34 UTC). Safarilink Aviation Flight 053 was on its way to Ukunda Airport in the coastal resort town of Diani Beach, when the crew heard a "loud bang" that forced the pilots to return to Wilson Airport on runway 32 in Nairobi. All 44 people on board the aircraft were unharmed. The Cessna, which also originated from Wilson Airport and was operated by 99 Flying School, crashed into the grounds of the Nairobi National Park, located approximately ten kilometers from the airport, shortly afterward, killing both pilots on board.