NAIROBI, Kenya — Wilson Airport was temporarily closed on Friday after a Dornier 228-202 aircraft crash-landed during landing operations, triggering emergency response efforts and renewed scrutiny over safety concerns at the busy domestic airport.
The aircraft, identified by registration number 5Y-CES, reportedly veered off the runway while attempting to land and narrowly missed the airport perimeter fence along Langata Road.
Witnesses at the scene said the plane appeared to lose control moments before touching down, although the exact cause of the incident had not been officially established by Friday evening.
Preliminary reports indicated that no fatalities or serious injuries were recorded. Authorities had not yet confirmed the number of passengers and crew aboard the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Public aviation records show the Dornier aircraft is frequently leased and operated by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which provides humanitarian and logistical air transport services across East Africa and conflict-prone regions.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the airport to secure the scene, assist passengers, and prevent further disruption to airport operations.
The temporary closure of Wilson Airport caused interruptions to several domestic and regional flights, with aviation authorities working to restore normal operations after the damaged aircraft was removed from the runway.
By Friday night, the Kenya Airports Authority had not issued an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the crash or the expected timeline for full reopening.
Authorities are expected to launch investigations involving the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and other aviation safety agencies to determine the cause of the incident.
The latest accident comes barely weeks after another aircraft incident at Wilson Airport raised concerns about operational safety and emergency preparedness at one of Kenya’s busiest aviation hubs.
In March, a separate aircraft carrying 39 passengers, including Godfrey Osotsi, crash-landed at the same airport. The incident prompted investigations by aviation authorities.
Following that accident, KCAA Director General Emile Arao acknowledged lapses in emergency preparedness and response systems at the airport.
Arao stated at the time that mandatory emergency services were not deployed promptly as required under international aviation regulations, contributing to concerns over operational readiness.
However, the aviation regulator maintained that Wilson Airport remains safe for operations and insisted that core safety systems, including air traffic communication and landing procedures, continue to meet regulatory standards.
Wilson Airport serves as a critical hub for domestic flights, medical evacuations, humanitarian operations, tourism charters, and private aviation within Kenya and the wider East African region.
