KWALE, Kenya — A light aircraft operated by Mombasa Air Services has crashed in the Simba area of Kwale County, killing all 12 people on board, authorities confirmed on Tuesday morning.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the aircraft — registration number 5Y-CCA — was en route from Diani to Kichwa Tembo when it went down at 05:30 a.m. (0530Z).
“The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority wishes to confirm that an aircraft registration number 5Y-CCA, on its way from Diani to Kichwa Tembo, crashed at 0530Z. The aircraft had 12 persons on board. Government agencies are already on site to establish the cause of the accident and its impact,” said KCAA Director General Emile N. Arao in a statement.
Kwale County Police Commander, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, confirmed that the plane was completely destroyed, with no survivors.
Rescue and recovery efforts were immediately launched, with teams from the Kenya Air Force, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, and local police securing the crash site.
“All 12 souls have perished in the crash,” the County Commander said, extending condolences to the families of those affected.
The wreckage was located in a remote section of the Simba area, approximately 40 kilometres from Diani, and initial reports suggest the aircraft may have encountered technical difficulties shortly after take-off.
The Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash. Experts from KCAA’s Accident Investigation Department have been dispatched to the site to recover the flight data recorder and assess evidence.
The aircraft, a Cessna 208 Caravan, is widely used for short domestic flights and safaris. The ill-fated flight was reportedly ferrying passengers heading to a lodge in the Maasai Mara region.
In a message of condolence, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority expressed its sympathies to the bereaved families and promised transparency in the investigation process.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all those on board. Investigations have commenced to establish the cause of the accident,” the statement read.
The crash is one of the deadliest aviation incidents in Kenya this year and has reignited concerns over safety compliance and weather conditions along the coastal flight paths.
The government has urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation until the full report from aviation investigators is released.
