The aircraft, operated by Safarilink Aviation and wet-leased to ALS Limited, was carrying 39 people, including passengers and crew.
Despite the tense moments, all on board escaped without injuries, thanks to the quick thinking and skill of the pilot.
According to Osotsi, the pilot made a critical decision to steer the aircraft off the runway during landing, forcing it to stall.
According to Osotsi, the pilot made a critical decision to steer the aircraft off the runway during landing, forcing it to stall.
This maneuver, he noted, helped prevent a possible fire or more serious disaster that could have occurred if the plane had continued along the runway unchecked.
“I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident,” Osotsi said, praising the pilot for his calmness and professionalism under pressure.
However, the senator expressed deep concern over what he described as a poor and delayed emergency response at Wilson Airport.
“I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident,” Osotsi said, praising the pilot for his calmness and professionalism under pressure.
However, the senator expressed deep concern over what he described as a poor and delayed emergency response at Wilson Airport.
He claimed that there were no immediate rescue operations after the crash landing, adding that no ambulance or emergency team was readily available to assist passengers.
Osotsi warned that such gaps in preparedness pose a serious risk to lives, especially given the importance of Wilson Airport in handling domestic and regional flights.
Osotsi warned that such gaps in preparedness pose a serious risk to lives, especially given the importance of Wilson Airport in handling domestic and regional flights.
He criticised airport authorities for failing to meet basic safety and emergency standards expected in modern aviation.
The legislator also pointed to infrastructural challenges as a major contributor to the incident. He revealed that the runway was flooded at the time of landing and that the airport’s lighting system was not functioning properly, making conditions difficult for pilots.
He further questioned why the flight was not diverted to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, noting that it is common practice for flights to be redirected there when conditions at Wilson Airport are unsafe.
The incident, Osotsi said, reinforces concerns he had previously raised in the Senate regarding the state of the airport.
The legislator also pointed to infrastructural challenges as a major contributor to the incident. He revealed that the runway was flooded at the time of landing and that the airport’s lighting system was not functioning properly, making conditions difficult for pilots.
He further questioned why the flight was not diverted to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, noting that it is common practice for flights to be redirected there when conditions at Wilson Airport are unsafe.
The incident, Osotsi said, reinforces concerns he had previously raised in the Senate regarding the state of the airport.
He urged authorities to take immediate action, including temporarily closing Wilson Airport to allow for comprehensive upgrades.
“The safety of passengers must come first. We cannot wait for a tragedy to happen before acting,” he warned.
The near-miss has now sparked fresh debate about aviation safety standards in Kenya, with calls for urgent reforms to prevent future incidents.
“The safety of passengers must come first. We cannot wait for a tragedy to happen before acting,” he warned.
The near-miss has now sparked fresh debate about aviation safety standards in Kenya, with calls for urgent reforms to prevent future incidents.
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