F1 star Alonso in Kenya plane mishap
McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain gestures during news conference ahead of the Belgian F1 Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps race track September 13, 2007. Photo/REUTERS
What you need to know:
Private plane’s wing is damaged after it hits a wall as Alonso ends Kenya holiday
Renault Formula One driver Fernando Alonso’s holiday in Malindi ended on a sour note when his private jet hit a wall at the Malindi airport and was forced to cancel his journey to Italy.
The incident occurred on Sunday as Mr Alonso, his wife and relatives were about to fly out. The jet’s left lower wing was damaged when it hit the wall as it taxied out of the parking lot.
The Spanish Formula one driver and two-time world champion’s trip was cancelled and passengers driven back to the Lion in the Sun resort, owned by Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore.
The Alonsos were at the resort for the New Year holiday.
The passengers in the jet included Mr Alonso, his wife Raquel Rosario, Mr Astrain Ander, Mrs Rosario Marta and Fernandez Alberto. The jet was scheduled to fly out at 2pm on Sunday. Now it is awaiting technicians from Europe to fix the damage.
On Monday, Mr Briatore, the Renault Formula One team managing director offered his personal jet, which was also parked at the Malindi airport since Christmas to take the guests to Cairo in Egypt, where they will take a flight to Italy.
“It’s true the accident took place but we cannot give details. A report will be prepared in Nairobi at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) headquarters,” said Malindi airport manager Walter Agong.
A source at the airport blamed Mr Alonso’s pilot for “defying” orders from the ground man before he taxied out of the parking. “The pilot was directed to make a 180 degree turn immediately he ignited the aircraft but apparently he defied this, preferring to taxi forward. This resulted in his hitting a wall which damaged the wing of the aircraft,” said the source.
And the business community and residents in Malindi reacted angrily to the accident and pressed `the Government to expand the airport.
“The accident was due to small space at the airport. This is clear indication that we need a bigger and modern airport in Malindi to accommodate such figures,” said Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry branch chairman Andrew Mataza.
