A passenger plane has crash-landed at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, triggering an emergency response.
Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft that crashed on Friday, March 20, in the evening, registered as 5Y-BXI, and operated by Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS), was flying from Kisumu.
ALS is known for operating flights on behalf of humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It also operates flights on behalf of regional airlines in Kenya, such as Safarilink Aviation.
Videos circulating on social media and seen by The Kenya Times show the Dash 8-100 aircraft grounded on the airstrip, with visible signs of distress as emergency teams rush to the scene.
First responders were also seen at the site working to evacuate passengers from the plane, with rescue operations underway moments after the crash-landing.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) later issued an official statement regarding the crash, noting that the aircraft had 39 passengers on board, all of whom were rescued along with the crew.
According to KAA, the plane veered off the runway after arriving at Wilson from the Kisumu International Airport.
“This evening at 2055HRS an aircraft with thirty nine (39) passengers on board arriving from Kisumu International Airport veered off the runway at Wilson Airport.
We wish to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe, with no injuries reported. The aircraft remains on site, and recovery efforts are currently underway. Airport operations at Wilson Airport remains normal.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) remains fully committed to the highest standards of safety at all our airports.”
Regional airline Safarilink Aviation later confirmed in a statement that the aircraft involved in the incident was operated by ALS on its behalf.
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The airline noted that the flight was carrying a total of 34 passengers and 5 crew members.
“Passengers and crew have since been safely evacuated, and support services are being provided as needed,” Safarilink said.
Wilson Airport incidents
Wilson Airport, one of the busiest airports in East Africa for domestic and light aircraft operations.
It primarily serves domestic and regional flights, with around 90% of operations connecting to safari destinations such as the Masai Mara, Mombasa, Diani, Lamu, Amboseli, and Nanyuki.
Founded in 1928, the airport provides a faster alternative to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for private charters, light aircraft, and government operations.
Wilson Airport has in the past handled emergency incidents. On August 7, 2025, an AMREF Flying Doctors Cessna Citation XLS (5Y-FDM) crashed into a residential building in Mwihoko, Kiambu, shortly after takeoff from the airport. Six people were killed, including four on board and two on the ground.
On December 28, 2024, an ALS Dash 8 (5Y-MRE) experienced a landing mishap when its main tyres burst, temporarily closing the runway. No injuries were reported in that incident.
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A particularly serious mid-air collision occurred on March 5, 2024, when a Safarilink Dash 8-300 collided with a Cessna 172 shortly after takeoff over the Nairobi National Park.
The Cessna crashed, killing the student pilot and instructor, while the Dash 8 returned safely to Wilson Airport. Previous minor incidents include runway overruns and emergency landings in September 2022 and October 2019, which caused damage but no fatalities.
Wilson Airport has also experienced challenges with helicopter operations. Kenya Police Mi-17 helicopters have a documented history of mechanical issues, including crash-landings at the airport in 2019 and 2025.
The incident comes after the late Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno was killed in a helicopter crash in Nandi County, along with five other people on board.
The crash occurred on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at approximately 4:45 p.m. in a forested area of Chepkiep, Nandi North.
Reports indicated that the helicopter (an Airbus AS350 B3e) made an emergency landing earlier in the afternoon due to poor weather. After assessing the situation for about 10 minutes, the pilot attempted to take off again despite heavy mist and rain.
Witnesses stated the aircraft lost stability shortly after takeoff, hit trees, and burst into flames upon impact.
