Trainee pilot killed in Tuesday midair crash buried as families mourn

One of the victims who died in a midair collision between two planes in Nairobi was buried at an emotional ceremony at the Langata Muslim cemetery.

Mariam Yusuf Omar, 20 was the trainee pilot of a light aircraft that crashed after colliding with a Dash 8 at the Nairobi National Park just outside Wilson Airport on Tuesday morning.

The trainer has since been identified as Captain Newton Omote Mokaya, 26.

They were in a training session and had taken off from Wilson Airport when the Cesna plane they were in collided midair with the Dash 8 registration number 5YSLK belonging to Safarilink, which was headed for Diani with 44 passengers including five crew members.

Authorities are investigating the crash.

An autopsy conducted on the body of Mariam revealed she died from multiple force trauma injuries, including broken ribs, spinal cord, and hands.

Pathologist Peter Ndegwa conducted the autopsy at Umash Memorial Service in Nairobi on Wednesday morning.

Following the autopsy, Mariam's family proceeded with her burial at Langata Cemetery. The body of Mokaya awaits autopsy and burial arrangements at Umash Memorial Service.

The families of the deceased described them as dedicated, disciplined, bright and promising.

The investigation into the tragic air crash is ongoing, led by the Air Accident Investigation Department and the National Police Service.

New details have emerged that a communication between the controller at the airport and the pilots of both planes shows they knew they were headed in the same direction.

According to those who have heard the conversation the controller warned the pilots they were headed in the same direction and this was not safe for them.

One of the pilots responded he had seen the other plane.

A few minutes later, a voice of a woman is heard saying there had been a clash then the conversation ended.

Both planes had originated at Wilson Airport, officials said. 

The pilot in the Safarilink plane thought they had hit a bird before she asked to land back at the airport.

It was then that it was discovered the plane was damaged and a body part of the  Cessna was on the Dash 8.

Safarilink Aviation said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

“Safarilink Aviation wishes to report that this morning (Tuesday) at 9:45 local time our flight number 053 with 39 passengers and 5 crew on board headed to Diani experienced a loud bang soon after take-off.”

“The crew decided to immediately turn back to Nairobi-Wilson Airport for further inspection and assessment and landed safely. There were no casualties reported,” the operator said.

The investigators have visited the site of the crash as part of the probe.