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Kenya Airways Crash

Written by Al Kags

Saturday, 05 May 2007

Kenya Airways Managing Director, Titus Naikuni and Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua have just concluded a press conference where they gave the latest information regarding the missing Kenya Airways flight KQ 507 in Cameroon.

In the statement they said that they have been able to so far identify 3 of the 6 people whose nationalities were unidentified. They found that two of the people were from Equatorial Guinea and one from Mauritius. The reason some of the nationalities were unknown is that even though Kenya Airways has a flight manifest, the details of Nationality normally are with Cameroon immigration, from whom they are getting the information, albeit slowly.

Mr. Naikuni brought to the conference his head of engineering, who described the flight path that the plane was to have taken from Abidjan over Douala onwards. He showed that the area where a distress signal was received from the missing flight was and that is in a dense equatorial forest south of the flight path closer to Yaounde.

A helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft are scanning the area spanning 62 miles of where the signal was received, trying to find the plane. However, the search and rescue exercise is hampered by heavy rainfall that has been falling for the last 18 hours in the area - hence making visibility and flying any aircraft perilous.

A team of experts in accident investigation, rescue tactics, psycologists, terrorism investigation among others are being led into Cameroon by Kenyan Minister for Transport, Chirau Ali Mwakwere. This, according to Dr. Mutua, is a wide team of experts who will be going to Cameroon to "support the on going efforts by the Cameroonian team".

Naikuni says that KQ has contacted its international crisis management consultants, who would be Beane Associates (if I got them correctly) and a team has been sent already to Cameroon and Nairobi to assist with this. In addition, the Dutch airline, KLM which own a percentage of KQ, have also have sent a team to Cameroon to assist with the efforts.

Families of the 9 crew members are gathered at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and at the passenger crisis centre that has been set up at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi. The general mood in Nairobi is apprehensive as memories of the catastrophic KQ crash at Abidjan in 2000 come alive and concern for the missing plane increases by the hour.

More as I get it.

the ill fated flight

Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya.

Al Kags
		About the author:
		Al Kags, the founder of the Desturi Trust writes prolifically on Kenyan and global matters. He is the programme officer at the Kenya ICT Board. He publishes a poetry anthology, the Quarterly Colour Series and the Al Kags blog here .

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What others are saying
written by Nekessa , May 05, 2007

Interesting read here by one Kenyan blogger, mentalacrobatics urges caution in discussions that will soon follow on the safety of flying in Africa.

Kenya Airways is one of the safest airlines in the world.

Pole to the bereaved families.

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My prayers to the affected.
written by Honey , May 05, 2007

Please, any chance I can find out who the captain was and the flight engineer on that particular flight.

While I fear what lies ahead, I still have hope that not all have perished.

Thanks for the effort to let us know.

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...
written by Honey , May 05, 2007

KQ puts alot of effort in in-training its employees (engineers, pilots) name them. Those men in their diverse ages camp in Washington every year keeping up on trainings.

Yes, the plane was six months old, and its collection from Boeing came after some serious training in Seattle.

Anyone looking at this as "African issues" is not being serious.

That thought alone is almost annoying!

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On African skies
written by Nekessa , May 05, 2007

Unfortunately, for the rest of the world, Africa is one big country and all our actions are lumped as such. If you look at the BBC report on this particular incident, there is a “related” article on the safety of flying in Africa. Listening to reports on lost lives, all European persons are reported as from their specific countries, however, the rest are from Africa the country, and India.

The aviation safety network monitors fatal civil airliner accidents, it has been doing this since 1945. Of the 25 geographical regions with the worst records, only 3 are African, and Kenya is not on the list.

It doesn't mean our skies are the safest either.

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Professional info & speculatio
written by aeichener , May 05, 2007

Honey! I sincerely hope that no-one close to you was struck. :-(

The usually best-informed source is always this one (in spite of its self-ironic title):

http://www.pprune.org/forums/

The KQ incident is covered in two threads; one is in "African Aviation" sub-board, and the other one is this:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/s...p?t=274678

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Thanks aeichener for the conce
written by Honey , May 06, 2007

I checked out the sites and the list of crew just released.

Its alittle comforting to think loved ones were not aboard, but I also know they are right in the middle of it trying to figure out what happened. At times aviation can be worrying.

I still hope to God that people survived the crash, if not all, then some.

I think its fair to chill and wait for more info before we start shifting blame, and demanding answers. The last crash in Abidjan, it took a while to locate the 'black box', and more months of globe trotting to find out what caused the crash!

God strengthen those in it.

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keep the faith
written by Donworry , May 06, 2007

It is sad indeed to hear of the tragedy of KQ507. It is a difficult time for those who have lost friends and loved ones.

poleni mliopatwa na msiba

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KQ 431 Abidjan crashz
written by Tips , May 06, 2007

It's sad that many people have lost their lives in this tragic accident, and my heartfelt condolences to all who have lost loved ones. It is important to address issues of air safety truthfully. One such way would be a serious look at the commission of inquiry report into the Abidjan crash of KQ 431 in 2000 which suggests pilot error, even as Government of Kenya and Kenya Airways continue to deny the existence of a report, citing the war in Cote d'Ivoire. The report can be read at
http://www.marsgroupkenya.org

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...
written by Honey , May 06, 2007

The Abidjan report took a while, I guess Kenyans gave up on waiting, and as usual, it becomes necessary after a second tragedy.

Blame it on human nature, but I recall my old man gone for a month and some days to Canada to 'study the black box'. Back then I only recall asking 'what the hell is a black box' and 'why cant you guys just do it in kenya'. My guess is, most Kenyans just approached it simplistically like I did, especially if one's family was not in the line of fire! Shame on us!

I dont remember him ever saying anything about what happened, or maybe we already had lost interest in the whole thing!.

I hope this time, we will be patient long enough or push to know what exactly happened!

It hits me more that am far away, the thought that one day he may just be on the doomed plane to Dubai, London, South Afrca et cetera.

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so sad
written by kazee , May 07, 2007

I pray we find them alive, since it went down in a swampy area, well.... the bang is said to have been loud, but God works in mysterious ways. His works are not determined by bangs!!

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written by emmo opoti , May 07, 2007

Taken from my comment on another forum, where Kenyans as usual have taken this as an ooportunity to deride Africans, or to bring in Kibaki-Raila.

First this is a tragedy, really no one should be looking to score cheap politicial points on this thread. Any mentions of your favorite politician or the one you don't like are very out of place and insensitive.

Secondly accidents, happen and this has nothing to do with Africans. To imply that is racist and unhelpful.

As we condole with those who have lost their loved ones, and with Kenya Airways whose international reputation will no doubt be dented, let us however realise that the airline has been very aggressively expanding into what is usually airline free country in West Africa. Two crashes out of all those flights is a tragic record, but not such a bad one in the circumstances. New plane, experienced pilot, bad weather equals freak incident not an opportunity to draw knives.

If as has been alleged there is something wrong with the flight control in Cameroon then airlines flying into that part of the world must look to see how best they can encourage the authorities there to improve. Maybe free courses in Nairobi?

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...
written by aeichener , May 07, 2007

It is a sad thing - and even worse it is that they needed 36 hours to locate the airplane in a swamp only 20 kms away from a big city as Douala.
Is this the year 2007 or 1870? "Travellers' party lost in deepest Black Africa, fate unknown" ?

Alexander

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Safety drills
written by Jibril Cessay , May 07, 2007

This event is so sad and the foreign press particular BBC and Reuters are busy taking a swipe at Africa's air safety record as though we all suffer from the same burden of incompetency.

I'm very distraught and I'm trying to find out who is that one Ghanaian in the plane. No word from the Ghanaian community in Nai yet.

I think there is a need to also learn airline safety. It shouldn't be a mere 10 minutes of safety rules before the plane takes off, there should be safety drills just the way colleges have fire drills. Equipment-inflatable dingy, life jackets, oxygen masks- should be tested before take off.

I feel that, once it is acknowledged that a plane is in distress, passengers and crew can take the necessary precautions to escape with their lives.

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written by aeichener , May 07, 2007

It might be time for prayer now, as the news become worse. All these poor people !

Concerning the previous loss of a KQ plane in 2000 at Abidjan, the full report about the accident and its causes is available at Mwalimu Mati's website:

http://www.marskenyagroup.org

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tribute site
written by Kiddi , May 07, 2007

The Kenyan blog aggregator has set up a tribute page in honor of the lives lost in this tragedy here: http://kenyaunlimited.com/kq507/pamoja/

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...
written by Honey , May 08, 2007

Maybe this is the time to ask these questions.
Every time I have boarded a plane, I half heartedly listen to an attendant talk of things similar to 'parachutes'
or airbags or life jackets, whatever it is they call them.
When do people ever use them? Every time a plane crashes, almost all perish. Do people ever use the items? More so, every time a plane crashes, it almost always goes into flames..and very hot ones too. One theory is that the twin towers were not bombed, but the jet fuel did the job. I dont know how passengers can take safety drills (given the inconsistency of travelling), but it is time we checked something out. One plane crash overtakes a year of road carnages. Then the gory details of identifying the dead.

At least the 'black box' has been found.

I have heard of crashes, but this one has hit home so hard. No survivor, nothing. All burried in some dark mud in some forest...I hope they are happy where they are.

God bless their families. I cry with them, and pray that they get strength to push thru.

I have been obnoxious on these issues, some light here.

One time I even sat thru how to open some secton of the plane and parachute out.

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written by aeichener , May 08, 2007

The flight data recorder has been found, and they are stil searching for the voice recorder. We will soon know more.

Alexander

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Crew Members
written by James White , May 08, 2007

Does anyone have a list of the crew members? An old friend of mine Edith Lovena Kanyangonda was a stewardess for the airlines. Any information on her please e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Crew Members
written by James , May 08, 2007

Anyone with a list of the crew members please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . An old friend Edith Lovena Kanyangonda used to be a flight attendant. I want to know if she is safe

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Crew list
written by aeichener , May 08, 2007

James:
"The crew members are Wamwea Francis Mbatia (Captain), Wanyoike Andrew Kiuru (First Officer), Kiiru Phylis Njeri (Flight Purser) and Kisilu William Muia (Flight Engineer).
The flight attendants are Njoroge Allan Njenga, Nyakweba Lydia Mocheche, Ong’ondo Elizabeth Achieng, Wakhu Shantaben Niriza, and Kadurenge Cyprian Mande."

Sincerely, Alexander

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Mr.
written by Harmony Lang , May 09, 2007

The Crash of Kenya air ways is great blow to us Africa. It was our only pride in world of air tranport. It is also blow to the boeing company as it has some competitors trying to turn it back down. I wish this crash be well investigated. This must be a planed act by the enemies of boeing and kenya airways. I don't believe that this crash was caused by a storm as mentioned in the news. If the cause is a storm or heavy rains, then, those in charge of weather observation at the Douala airport are to be blame. 2) If it was the storm or heavy rains, the flight could have maintained it signal.
I wish Beoing company, Kenya airways and the Cameroon government join and investigate.

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What could have happened to KQ
written by Anon , May 10, 2007

1. Corrupt officials at either or both the Abidjan and Douala airports OVERLOADED the plane.
People who have flown thru west African airports are familiar with the way airport officials record just half of the weight of your checked in luggage then make you "pay" for the other half directly to them.
Same goes for hand luggage, where any excess weight is not left behind but "paid" for.
So the KQ 507 crew might have flown thinking they are carrying half of what they are actually carrying.
Add to that INCOMPETENT airport officials NO RADAR and BAD WEATHER.

So:
a) Next time airport officials let you carry excess luggage take a ‘pause and calmly think about it‘!

2. Maybe someone is actually not be too happy with Kenya Airways growing that fast in the African Skies.
Conspiracy theory? Maybe but where there is smoke there is fire.
Who might want to hurt Boeing? Who might feel that they not KQ should have a monopoly over francophone skies? Who is jealous of KQs growth into Southern Africa? Whose interests might be furthered by such an incidence? Shindwe!

Already some are calling for KQ to cancel West African flights…if there is indeed any mystery or foul play, isn’t that the perpetrators whole point?

So:
b) God Bless Kenya!

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...
written by aeichener , May 10, 2007

Anon, you should quote your source, because I know it. The remark about overload (emitted by a pilot who flew for a North African company) was a generic remark and a transferred speculation - though a reasonable one, as far as African continental flights are concerned -, not a fact finding.

As to conspiracy speculations, the flight recorder will soon yield facts. Competition is unlikely as a cause. However, one person was on board - a journalist - in whose demise a number of people could have had an interest.

Combing through the Pprune boards yields a lot of rumours, but also some interesting facts. One understands the industry a lot better after having spent some time there. The contribution of "hoggsnortrupert" there in the Rumours and News sub-board is especially valuable. Never underestimate the force of weather.

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why
written by Noreen , May 10, 2007

Why are the Cameroonian officials not cooperating with the Kenyan officials? Why the Hostility? A tragedy occurred, instead of making boundaries, and agitating each other an alliance needs to be formed they all need to work together.Its so disheartening to see "us africans" step on each other even amidst a tragedy, meanwhile in other parts of the continent we are being taken advantage of in terms of war being funded by neo-colonialists who have "intrests" in the continent's mineral riches... sad just sad

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a moment
written by Amina , May 10, 2007

A recent commentary in the papers highlights the hypocrisy of Kenyans in this time of grief. Hundreds are displaced in the Mt. Elgon area, others lose their lives and schools are closed and Kenya watches silently by. Meanwhile, in a freak accident tens of people lose their lives, every Kenyan grieves and the president calls for a day of mourning. Read the rest here .

Mr. Kendo I am not an expert in the human psyche, but I will say one thing... the hypocrisy you describe is not unique to Kenya. Watch the fascination with the Virginia Tech mass murders, while tragic, hundreds of people continue to die every day in many parts of the world-- war, hunger, you name it. It is easier for us to deal with this once-in-a-while kind of tragedy for a few reasons as I see it:

1) It is more personal. One plane, one hundred people are many, but they are fewer than the thousands we don't know.

2) The media-- the stories, they tell, the ones they highlight are the "stories" foremost in our minds. In fact, if I was a newspaper editor, I would have a story on the Mt. Elgon issue every day until it stopped. It is the least we can do. Look at Somalia, the war going on there has become so commonplace that we hardly notice when there is a change.

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Mount Elgon ignored
written by aeichener , May 10, 2007

Well Amina, even the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights does its very best to ignore Mount Elgon. No press releases, no missions sent there, no answers to press enquiries either (instead, bloated buffoonery of one Maina Kiai that it be disrespectful to ask and insist to know what they are doing or not).

If our well-earning wannabe human rights watchdogs are plugging their ears and putting on the blindfold, should we expect the press to be any better?

Alexander

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KQ CRASH
written by Tony Ngari , May 11, 2007

All in all we still need to give our last respects to the victims of the kq crash. So many peoples' dreams, visions and missions were shattered and this by extension leaving an added burden to the family members. No one wishes a tragedy like this to happen to someone they knew, cared for or anyone else for that matter.

My most concern is that we help the family members and friends to go through the healing process and thoroughly urge and put pressure on our leaders and kenyan government to lead the investigations with zeal to unearth the compelling and underlying reasons that led to this tragedy.

Most importantly, all of africa should unite to help upgrade some of the airport equipments to insure the safety of future generations and uproot corruption.

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plane crashes
written by Tony Ngari , May 12, 2007

We should not be treated to a lukewarm investigation where the public never gets to know what and how the tragedy happened as was the case with the 2000 KQ crash over the atlantic ocean.
We should demand answers and do it now! There could be an ill mannered hand involved in these types of air crashes and if so they need to be exposed and dealt with according to the law. Two air crashes involved in the same region, at night and targeting only one airline company within a timespan of 6 years sounds suspicious!!!!!!!!

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Plane crash from the year 2000
written by editor , May 12, 2007

Tony, here is the link to the investigation report on the KQ 431 crash in Abidjan in the year 2000. It has been published:

http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/...00130a.pdf

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...
written by aeichener , May 14, 2007

Here is a sadly pertaining comment from the Prune boards, written by threemiles. Evidently someone who knows what he is talking about, either a pilot or aircraft mechanic:

"Given the young age of the Kenya 737-800 it certainly was fully ADS-B transponder equipped and transmitting its GPS ground and flight coordinates every second into the dark African night on 1090 MHz.
A simple ADS-B receiver (commercially available for less than $800 plus a laptop) at Douala airport tower would have recorded its flight path to a text log until it was down, i.e. position coordinates, altitude, ground speed, vertical velocity, true track. A quick view to the text log after radio comm was lost would have led to the event than happened - within minutes rather that days."

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