Hiiraan Online
Tuesday October 29, 2019
NAIROBI (HOL) - Civil aviation authorities in Kenya have launched investigations into a local airliner which has in the last three weeks suffered two accidents triggering fears among passengers.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said in a statement Monday it had opened investigations into Silverstone Air after one of its aircrafts was forced to make emergency landing yesterday when one of its wheels dropped off moments after take-off.“The audit is being performed to determine the level of compliance with the current Civil Aviation regulations and their own company approved manuals and procedures,” KCAA said.
The bombardier Dash 8-300, registration number 5YBWG had just taken off Lodwar Airstrip in Turkana county in the north western part of Kenya when the rear pair of the wheel fell off.
Security sources quoted by local media said the wheel was picked by locals and handed over to authorities.
The airline said in a statement the pilot took precautionary measures for the safety of the passengers.
"The captain of the flight decided to divert to Eldoret International Airport in the interests of the continued safety of the passengers and the crew. This was a precautionary action and the aircraft landed safely.”
The plane which was heading to the capital Nairobi was directed to land at Eldoret International Airport.
The incident came barely two weeks after an aircraft from the same company skidded off run-way in Nairobi’s Wilson Airport injuring passengers.
There were 55 passengers on board and some suffered life threatening injuries.