Nairobi - Mogadishu

On May 23, 2004 at 07:30 AM, Nairobi - Mogadishu experienced a crash involving Let L-410, operated by Bluebird Aviation, with the event recorded near Mwingi Western.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The twin engine aircraft departed Nairobi-Wilson Airport on a cargo flight to Mogadishu, carrying two pilots and a load of 1,500 kilos of khat. About an hour into the flight, while in cruising altitude, the aircraft collided with a second Let L-410UVP also operated by Bluebird Aviation and registered 5Y-VVA. While the crew of 5Y-VVA was able to complete an emergency landing and the aircraft suffered small damages, 5Y-VVD entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed 30 km south of Mwingi, killing both pilots.

Aircraft reference details include registration 5Y-VVD, MSN 87 20 09, year of manufacture 1987.