Swearingen SA226 Metro II crash, Jul 19, 2003 (14 killed)
Swearingen SA226 Metro II accident on July 19, 2003 near Lenana Peak, Tharaka-Nithi, Kenya with 14 fatalities. Cause: Controlled flight into terrain...
- Date: July 19, 2003
- Aircraft: Swearingen SA226 Metro II
- Location: Lenana Peak, Tharaka-Nithi, Kenya
- Fatalities: 14
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew lost awareness of the aircraft's position relative to high ground. Contributing factors included unfamiliarity with the route, inadequate flight planning, distraction during a frequency change, poor ATC coordination and the lack of a minimum safe altitude warning on radar.
A Swearingen Metro II chartered for a safari flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Samburu struck a ridge on the eastern side of Point Lenana, the third highest peak of Mount Kenya, in cloud. The aircraft burned after impact and all 14 occupants, including two crew and twelve passengers, were killed.