Small plane crashes in Malindi

Police officers at the scene where a light aircraft crashed in Malindi, Kilifi County on November 29, 2018. PHOTO | CHARLES LWANGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

One person was injured on Thursday morning after a light aircraft failed to climb high enough during take-off and crashed into an electric post near a house in Furunzi, Malindi.

Locals who witnessed the crash at around 10.30am rescued the victim, a pilot trainee, before police arrived at the scene and took him to Tawfiq Hospital in Malindi for treatment.

Mr Mohamed Karama, the manager of Malindi International Airport manager said the aircraft, a Cessna 152, had only one person when it crashed moments after taking off from the airport.

“The aircraft which belongs to Kenya School of Flying was heading to Ukunda in Kwale County after taking off at 10.30am,” he said adding that investigators are looking into the cause of the crash.

He said the KAA officials, fire brigade and police after arrived at the scene moments after the accident.

“The pilot was trying to divert the aircraft towards a swamp after it failed to climb high before hitting an electric post and fell on a house,” said Mr Karama.

Mr Daniel Charo, a resident said the aircraft was flying low before it crashed on an eclectic post near a house.

Another resident, John Matsaki, said he ran to rescue the pilot who was trapped to his seat by a belt.

“I cut off the safety belt using a knife and pulled him out,” he said adding that the pilot was taken to hospital for check up by an ambulance 15 minutes later.