Aircraft hits electric pole in Malindi, Pilot hospitalized

A small aircraft crashed about five minutes after take-off from Malindi Airport (in South-eastern Kenya) on its way to Ukunda. The light plane crashed on a house construction in Furunzi area after hitting an electric pole. The eyewitnesses said that the aircraft failed to ascend high enough during take-off.

The Malindi International Airport manager, Mohamed Karama confirmed the incident saying that the Aircraft-Cessna 152 which had only one person, crashed moments after taking off from the airport.

“The aircraft which belongs to Kenya School of Flying was heading to Ukunda in Kwale County after taking off at 10.30 am. The investigation team has already begun probing the cause of the accident,” he added.

The pilot trainee, who was commanding the plane, was rescued and taken to Tawfique Hospital in Malindi. The injured personnel was a trainee and gathered 100 flying hours.

According to Mohamed Karama, the pilot was trying to divert the aircraft to a swamp when it failed to take its required height before hitting an electric post and fell on a house.

An eyewitness, who was among the first at the spot, recalled how they helped the trainee escape from the wreckage.

“I cut off the safety belt using a knife and pulled him out... 15 minutes later, an ambulance arrived and the victim was rushed to the hospital,” the eyewitness said.