Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo in Nairobi: 52 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1992
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-5 Buffalo
Operator:
Registration:
KAF214
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Nairobi - Nanyuki
MSN:
123
YOM:
1986
Location:
Nairobi-Eastleigh (Moi Air Base)
Nairobi City District
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
52
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 06 at Nairobi-Eastleigh Airport (Moi Air Base), while in initial climb, the left engine failed and its propeller autofeathered. The captain contacted ATC, declared an emergency and was cleared to turn left. Following a left hand circuit, the crew again turned to the left and prepared to land on runway 06 when the aircraft entered an area of low clouds. The crew momentarily lost visual contact with the runway when the aircraft stalled and crashed onto several houses located in the district of Kaloleni, less than 2 km short of runway 06 threshold. The aircraft and few houses were destroyed. All 46 occupants as well as 6 people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the left engine failure could not be determined.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Nanyuki

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L1097
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nanyuki - Nanyuki
MSN:
8380
YOM:
1938
Location:
Nanyuki
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training mission at Nanyuki Airfield. For unknown reasons, the undercarriage was retracted after landing. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage retracted in error.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Nanyuki: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1943 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L4878
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nanyuki - Nanyuki
MSN:
8893
YOM:
1939
Location:
Nanyuki
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nanyuki Airfield at 1135LT on a cross country navigation exercise. Few minutes after takeoff, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to return. The approach was completed in bumpy and gusty conditions. While the airplane was descending at about 100 feet, there was a high wind blowing. It struck the ground with the starboard wing-tip first and cartwheeled, causing both engines to be torn out. All four crew members were injured, the pilot seriously. He later died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
P/O Frank H. Carr, pilot, †
F/O Charles F. Strutt, observer,
Sgt William B. Nesbitt,
Sgt John A. Ross.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Nanyuki: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L1492
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nanyuki - Nanyuki
MSN:
8775
YOM:
1939
Location:
Nanyuki
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a solo training flight at Nanyuki Airport when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
S/Lt W. F. Steenkamp, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV on Mt Kenya: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
Z7763
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nanyuki - Nanyuki
Location:
Mt Kenya
Central
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cross country navigation exercise out from Nanyuki. The airplane failed to return to base and SAR operations were abandoned as no trace of the airplane was found. Eventually, the wreckage was found in 2002 on the slope of Mt Kenya. All four crew members from the South African Air Force were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Charles Herbert Allen, pilot,
2nd Lt Hendrik Jacobus Petrus 'Bokkie' Lemmer, navigator,
Sgt Simon Eliastam, wireless operator,
Sgt Llyod Murray, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Nanyuki

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
K7137
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8090
YOM:
1937
Location:
Nanyuki
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane landed hard and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Nanyuki: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L8391
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nanyuki - Nanyuki
Location:
Nanyuki
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was engaged in a solo night training flight at RAF Nanyuki. While taking off, the airplane went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Col Thomas Ross Theron, pilot.
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