Aircraft accident investigators have issued an update on the August 7 plane crash, confirming the recovery of the aircraft’s black box.
The crash involved a light aircraft operated by the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) Flying Doctors, which went down in Mwihoko, Kiambu County.
Speaking to reporters on August 8 in Mwihoko, Fred Kabunge, Director of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department, confirmed that the crucial device had been located during the ongoing probe.
He revealed that the black box, which belonged to the AMREF aircraft, had initially been picked up by police officers at the crash site, who were reportedly unaware of its significance.
Kabunge explained that the recovered black box is a critical component of the investigation, as its data will help determine the cause of the crash.
To analyse the contents, his team plans to send the device abroad for decoding by international aviation partners.
“We have managed to recover the recorder, popularly known as the black box, which will aid us in conducting our investigation,” Kabunge said.
“That recorder will later be shipped to our counterparts, either the NTSB in the United States, the TSB in Canada, or France, for further analysis and downloading of investigation data. The recorders are critical for us as we conduct investigations.”
The data retrieved is expected to offer key insights into the aircraft’s final moments, including flight parameters, engine performance, and cockpit conversations.
Kabunge added that the team is working closely with relevant aviation authorities to establish the facts surrounding the crash.
According to a report by AMREF, the aircraft, a Cessna Citation XLS, had just taken off from Wilson Airport at 2:17 pm and was en route to Hargeisa, Somalia, when it crashed.
Reports further stated that the accident resulted in the deaths of six people.
