5Y-BYQ

ASX Investigation

On March 8, 2025, a Cessna 152 registered as 5Y-BYQ crashed near Ikanga Airstrip in Voi, Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The aircraft was on a training flight operated by the Kenya School of Flying and was reportedly en route from Malindi before the accident occurred. The incident was reported to have happened at approximately 3:00 PM local time, with the aircraft bursting into flames upon impact. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft had one occupant, a student pilot, but some sources suggest there may have been two individuals on board. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of persons present during the flight.

The aircraft crashed approximately 500 meters from the intended runway while attempting to land. Witnesses stated that the plane exhibited erratic up-and-down movements before striking a tree and then impacting the ground, where it caught fire. The aircraft was identified as a Cessna 152, a common two-seat trainer widely used for flight instruction. The student pilot, who held a Private Pilot License (PPL), was on a cross-country training circuit to Tsavo and was expected to return to Malindi later in the day. The aircraft was under the dispatch of a flight instructor who remained on the ground.

The Kenya Airports Police Unit, alongside the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit, responded to the crash scene. First responders included local law enforcement, fire crews, and aviation officials who arrived to secure the area and begin preliminary investigations. By the time emergency services reached the site, the aircraft was already engulfed in flames, leading to a complete loss of the airframe. The remains of the aircraft and any onboard occupants were recovered for further examination, pending an official investigation.

Preliminary analysis suggests that the crash may have been due to mechanical failure or pilot error, though a detailed assessment is required. The aircraft’s reported erratic behavior before the crash could indicate either a stall or a loss of control event. Weather conditions at the time of the accident have not been cited as a contributing factor, and there were no indications of adverse meteorological conditions affecting the flight.

Investigators will focus on multiple aspects, including aircraft maintenance records, recent inspections, pilot training logs, and communication with air traffic control. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is expected to release an official statement after reviewing flight data and witness testimonies. Additionally, the possibility of fuel contamination or a control surface malfunction will be examined to determine if mechanical failure played a role.

Further information will be made available as authorities conduct a full investigation into the accident. Until then, the exact cause remains undetermined, and findings will be subject to analysis by aviation safety officials. The final report will provide conclusive details on the sequence of events leading to the crash and any contributing factors identified through forensic examination of the wreckage.

Accident Information

Approx. Accident Location

3°22’40.22″S, 38°32’2.03″E

Aircraft Fatalities

1*

Ground Fatalities

0

Injured

0

Aircraft Information

Aircraft Type

Cessna 152

Operator

Kenya School of Flying

Registration

5Y-BYQ

Serial Number

15281936

Manufacture date

1978

Relevent Flight Tracking

Relevent Social Media

References

Local News

Tuko

World News

Nation Africa

Image References

Nation Africa Tuko KSF

NTSB Database

Miscellaneous

Accident Weather

5Y-BYQ Historic Accicent

Official Preliminary Report

Official Final Report