Nairobi, KENYA: Passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated Flysax plane have been reported to be dead as search and rescue missions for the plane that crashed in the Aberdares came to an end on Thursday.
The ill-fated Cessna C208 aircraft, registration number 5Y-CAC went missing on Tuesday after it left Kitale at 4 pm but later lost contact with the control tower at Jomo Kenyatta International airport an hour twenty minutes after take off.
The pilot Captain Barbra Wangeci Kamau and co-pilot Jean Mureithi lost contact with the control tower and it is believed they flew into a storm.
The wreck of the aircraft was found early Thursday morning at 6:45 am at elephant point 11,000 feet above sea level.
Hours after the wreckage was found, FlySax chairman Charles Wako made the announcement and confirmed the reports from the crash site.
Transport PS Paul Maringa through a press statement sent to newsrooms, confirmed the reports that there were no survivors in the crash.
“Unfortunately, from the reports we are getting there are no survivors. The families of the passengers and the crew have been notified and as a ministry, we truly regret this very sad outcome and send out our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, investigations into the probable cause of the accident have commenced,” said Transport PS Paul Maringa.
The search and rescue missions were conducted by a team of military specialist in mountain rescue operations.
The eight passengers aboard the Flysax plane were Ahmed Ali Abdi, Karaba Sailah Waweru Muiga, Khetia Kishani, Matakasakaraia Thamani, Matakatekei Paula, Ngugi George Kinyua, Pinuertorn Ronald and Wafula Robinson.
Meanwhile, President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolences to the families of the deceased and called for investigations into the crash.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the president stated that he was saddened by the news of the crash, promising that his administration will support the family during this period of grieve.
“ I pray that the families and friends of those we have lost may be granted the grace to endure this terrible loss. They will have every assistance my administration can offer, now and in the day to come,” He stated.
However, the president said that a probe will be set up to ascertain what went wrong that led to the plane crash.
“They can be sure that there will be a full review of our procedure so that we can all understand how this tragedy happened.” He added.
Additional reporting by Michael Mbugua
