Man injured after plane crashes into house in Malindi

One person was injured after a light aircraft failed to ascend high enough during take-off and crashed into an electric post in Furunzi in Malindi.

Locals who witnessed the accident at around 10.30am managed to rescue a pilot trainee from the wreckage.

Police arrived shortly after and rushed him to Tawfique hospital in Malindi for treatment.

Mr Mohamed Karama, the Malindi International Airport manager, said the aircraft-Cessna 152 which had only one person, 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.

He added: “The investigation team has already begun probing the cause of the accident.”

He said the Kenya Airport Authority officials, the fire brigade and police 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 in Malindi, said the aircraft made a loud buzzing sound while flying low before it crashed.

Another resident, Mr. John Matsaki, narrated how they got the pilot trainee out of the aircraft:

“I cut off the safety belt using a knife and pulled him out…15 minutes later, an ambulance arrived and the victim was rushed to the hospital.”

Report by Abchun Abdi