What You Need to Know
Senator Godfrey Osotsi survived a crash landing at Wilson Airport while traveling on a Safarilink Aviation flight. He praised the pilot’s skill in averting a potential disaster but criticized the airport’s lack of emergency preparedness, noting the absence of immediate rescue operations. Osotsi has previously raised safety concerns about the airport’s infrastructure and called for urgent upgrades.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Senator Godfrey Osotsi has said he is safe after surviving an aircraft incident at Wilson Airport on Friday evening, where a Safarilink Aviation flight he was travelling in crash-landed.
In a statement, Osotsi said he was among 39 passengers on board, including three crew members and the pilot, when the incident occurred.
He attributed their survival to the pilot’s actions.
“I thank God for His protection after I came out safely from an aircraft accident at Wilson Airport this evening. I was among the 39 passengers on board the Safarilink flight, including three crew members and the pilot, when the plane crash-landed,” he said.
“I commend the pilot for his remarkable skill and presence of mind in controlling the aircraft and steering it off the runway, causing it to stall – an action that averted what could have been a catastrophic fire had the plane continued on the runway.”
The senator, however, raised concerns about the airport’s emergency preparedness, stating that assistance was not immediately available following the incident.
“However, it is deeply troubling that despite the pilot’s efforts to save lives, there were no immediate rescue operations from the airport management. There was no ambulance on site and no emergency response team came to our aid. This level of unpreparedness is unacceptable for an airport of such significance,” he said.
Osotsi linked the incident to concerns he had recently raised in the Senate regarding safety and infrastructure at Wilson Airport.
“This incident comes just days after I sought a statement in the Senate of the Republic of Kenya regarding the safety concerns and deteriorating infrastructure at Wilson Airport. Today’s events have only reinforced those concerns. The runway was flooded and the lighting system is not functioning properly. It is common knowledge that due to these poor conditions, flights are often diverted to JKIA in the evening, raising serious questions as to why this particular flight was not redirected,” he said.
He called for urgent action, including the temporary closure of the airport for upgrades.
“In light of this experience, I strongly reiterate my call for urgent action. Wilson Airport must be closed and comprehensively upgraded to meet international safety standards before it is allowed to resume full operations. The safety of Kenyans and all air passengers must never be compromised.”
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed the incident.
“This evening at 2055HRS an aircraft with thirty nine(39) passengers on board arriving from Kisumu International Airport veered off the runway at Wilson Airport. We wish to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe, with no injuries reported. The aircraft remains on site, and recovery efforts are currently underway,” KAA said.
“Airport operations at Wilson Airport remains normal. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) remains fully committed to the highest standards of safety at all our airports.”
Wilson Airport, located in Nairobi, Kenya, has been a crucial hub for domestic flights and general aviation. Over the years, it has faced scrutiny regarding its safety standards and infrastructure, particularly concerning its runway conditions and emergency response capabilities. Recent incidents have prompted calls for comprehensive upgrades to ensure passenger safety and compliance with international aviation standards. The airport’s management has been urged to address these issues to prevent future accidents and enhance operational safety.
