Passenger Aircraft Crashes at Nairobi's Wilson Airport with 39 People Aboard
Nairobi, 20 March 2026
A de Havilland Canada DHC-8-102 operated by African Logistics Services crash-landed during a storm at Wilson Airport this afternoon, carrying 39 passengers and crew. Remarkably, all occupants survived the accident despite substantial aircraft damage and challenging weather conditions including thunderstorms and rain.
Aircraft Details and Flight Path
The aircraft involved in today’s incident was a de Havilland Canada DHC-8-102 with registration 5Y-BXI, manufactured serial number 376, and powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines [1]. The aircraft was operated by African Logistics Services (ALS), a company that provides aviation services for humanitarian organisations including UN-WFP and ICRC flights [1]. The flight departed from Kisumu Airport (KIS/HKKI) bound for Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL/HKNW) when the accident occurred during the landing phase on runway 32 [1].
Weather Conditions and Timeline
The crash occurred at 17:54 UTC on Friday, 20 March 2026, amid challenging weather conditions at Wilson Airport [1]. Meteorological reports from the airport showed thunderstorms with rain (TSRA) at 17:00 UTC, with visibility reduced to 5,000 metres and few cumulonimbus clouds at 20 feet with broken cloud layers at 21 feet and 80 feet [1]. By 18:00 UTC, conditions had slightly improved with light rain (-RA) and visibility extending to over 10 kilometres, though cloud conditions remained challenging for landing operations [1].
Emergency Response and Casualties
Despite the substantial damage to the aircraft, all 39 occupants aboard the DHC-8-102 survived the crash landing, with no fatalities reported from the incident [1]. The crash caused immediate panic and tension at Wilson Airport, with emergency services responding quickly to the scene [1]. Wilson Airport serves as a crucial domestic aviation hub in Kenya, regularly handling flights to various destinations across the country, particularly to northern regions [GPT].
Investigation and Aviation Safety Implications
The Aviation Safety Network has classified this incident as an accident during the landing phase, with the aircraft suffering substantial damage [1]. The investigation into the precise cause of the crash landing is expected to commence shortly, with aviation authorities likely to examine factors including the challenging weather conditions, pilot response, and aircraft systems performance during the approach and landing sequence [GPT]. The incident highlights the operational challenges faced by aircraft operating in East Africa’s variable weather conditions, particularly during the rainy season when thunderstorms can develop rapidly around major airports [GPT].