Panic After Plane Loses Control and Crashes Into Vegetation at Mandera Airstrip
There was panic and confusion on Friday morning after a passenger aircraft operating on the Mandera–Nairobi route reportedly lost control and ended up crashing into nearby vegetation at the Mandera Airstrip runway in Mandera County.
According to initial reports, the plane had just landed when it suddenly veered off the runway and moved into a nearby thicket.
The unexpected movement caused alarm among passengers and crew members who were still on board at the time of the incident.
Witness accounts and early information from officials indicate that the situation could have been far worse, but fortunately all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft shortly after the crash.
Emergency response teams stationed at the airstrip reacted quickly, rushing to the scene to assist in rescuing those who were still trapped inside parts of the damaged aircraft. They also worked to secure the area and prevent any further danger.
Further details suggest that the aircraft had already completed its flight from Nairobi and was in the landing phase at the Mandera Airstrip when it suddenly veered off course moments after touching down. It is still not clearly established what exactly caused the loss of control during landing.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations have already been launched to determine the cause of the incident.
Aviation experts are expected to examine whether the crash may have been triggered by mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, runway conditions, or a combination of several factors. For now, officials have not ruled out any possibility.
Security agencies moved in quickly after the incident and cordoned off the affected section of the runway. This was done to ensure safety as inspection and recovery operations began.
The restricted area allowed aviation officials and investigators to assess the situation without interference while also preventing access to the damaged aircraft.
Images obtained by Newshub.co.ke showed visible damage to the aircraft, especially at the front section and the wings.
The aircraft appeared partially damaged after leaving the runway, with officers seen assisting in the evacuation process and trying to support passengers and crew members who were inside the wreckage.
Due to the incident, operations at the Mandera Airstrip were temporarily disrupted. Aviation officials had to suspend or delay subsequent flights as they worked to ensure that the runway and surrounding area were safe for continued use. Passengers scheduled for later flights experienced delays as safety checks were prioritized.
This latest incident adds to a worrying trend of similar aviation cases reported in the country in recent weeks. It comes just about a month after another passenger aircraft experienced a runway excursion at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
In that earlier incident, the aircraft had been arriving from Kisumu on March 20, 2026, when it veered off the runway during landing. Authorities later described the situation as a runway excursion.
Reports from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed that there were 39 people on board the aircraft at the time—34 passengers and five crew members.
Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, officials stated that no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely accounted for.
As investigations continue into the Mandera Airstrip incident, aviation authorities are expected to provide further updates once the cause of the crash and runway excursion is clearly established.
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