This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
On August 16, 2019, a Safarilink commercial aircraft hit wildebeest while landing at Kichwa Tembo Airstrip in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The Dash 8 aircraft, registration 5Y-SLM, was on a scheduled service from Nairobi (Wilson) to Maasai Mara and back.
According to Safarilink's management, the animals ran across the runway as the aircraft landed at about 1pm.
"We are thankful to confirm all passengers and crew are safe and that there are no injuries or fatalities," the management stated.
Despite the accident, the aircraft was disabled, and another plane was dispatched to take engineers and company staff to the site to assess the situation.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a popular tourist destination, known for its wildebeest migration, which attracts thousands of international tourists every year.
August is often the peak period, with business booming at the reserve, but also overwhelming camp lodges and tour operators.
At the time of the accident, there were 10 vehicles parked at the airstrip, with drivers and tour guides waiting to pick up passengers and take them to lodges and camps.
Safarilink operates flights from Wilson to various landing strips within the Mara, including Keekorok, Mara North, Musiara, Serena, Angama, Olkiombo, and Kichwa Tembo.
