AMREF plane black box recovered as probe into Mwihoko crash intensifies

The black box of the ill-fated AMREF plane that crashed in Mwihoko, Kiambu County on Thursday has been recovered, with Ministry of Transport officials expected to try and draw information from it on the possible cause of the incident.

This as a probe into the fatal air crash is ongoing, with investigators recording statements from affected victims of the crash as well combing through the crime scene to gather more evidence.

Among those who recorded statements are family members of two victims who died when the plane crashed into their house.

Rahab Wamuyu lost her husband when the ill-fated Cessna 5Y-FDM crashed into their rented homestead. The impact of the damage brought down the entire house, claiming the life of her husband who was asleep.

He was bedridden, nursing injuries after cheating death in a grisly road accident sometime back. Unfortunately, this time round when the aircraft came crashing, he died on impact.

“Nikiwa kazini nikapigiwa simu nikaambiwa kwenye naishi kuna ndege imeanguka. Kutoka huko, kufika nikapata ndege ilianguka kwa nyumba yangu, na kwa sababu mzee alikuwa ndani…anakuwanga mgonjwa…already alishafariki na ameshachukuliwa,” narrated Wamuyu.

In the next house, 12-year-old Yvonne Nasimiyu was at home preparing lunch for her siblings. Her mother recounts how she received the tragic news of the air crash as she went about her business.

“Nimelea watoto wangu nikiwa peke yangu. Nimeng'ang'ana nao as a single mother. Sai nimepiga na butwa na sijui nianzie wapi, nimalizie wapi kwa kuwa kila kitu iliharibikia hapo, birth certificates za watoto wangu na pia nguo za biashara," Mercy Nafula said.

Adjacent houses felt the impact of the air crash as well. Several homes were damaged as parts of the aircraft came rumbling into their houses as the aircraft burst into flames before crashing.

An example is Margaret Wairimu's house, which was completely damaged and burnt. She is lucky for she had stepped out of her house less than 10 minutes before the air crash happened.

For those that were hit with the parts of the aircraft while in their houses, will live to recount this traumatising encounter.

A majority of them suffered deep cuts, burns from the jet fuel and other bodily injurie. Abigail Favour’s 17-year-old brother has since gone missing after the incident.

“Niliumia mguu, kwa sababu after engine ilianguka, parts zilisplit kwa nyumba na zilikuwa moto,” stated Abigail.

Two bodies of an adult and child recovered from the scene are being preserved at City Mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

The ill-fated Cessna aircraft had four occupants who died as well, and their bodies are preserved at Lee Funeral Home. The four are a pilot, a doctor and two nurses working with AMREF.

On Friday morning, investigators combed through the scene and recovered several crucial exhibits which are key for their investigation.

Among items recovered is the craft's black box which, upon analysis, will give key findings of what the pilot communicated with the air traffic control team as a possible cause of the crash.

Officials also recovered several bodies from the neighbourhood; other body parts were found hanging on trees and on top of houses, indicating those in the flight might have died before the aircraft hit the ground.

Fred Kabunge, Director of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit, said: “We have just found the black box…of course it was not found here…the security team that were first responders here picked it but they actually didn’t know that it was the black box.”

Witnesses say they saw the wreckage of the aircraft burn in the air before it crashed. The Kiambu County government has however hinted on a possible partnership with AMREF to attend to immediate needs of those affected.

“We have taken it up and we will be assisting them to at least make do for the time being, in accommodation and treatment and counselling,” said Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi.

Before the air crash, the aircraft had left Wilson Airport enroute to Hargeisa in Somaliland for a rescue mission. Sadly, the journey ended here.