Incident Overview

Date: Friday 24 January 2003
Aircraft Type: Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I
Owner/operator: African Commuter Services
Registration Number: 5Y-EMJ
Location: Busia – ÿ Kenya
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 12
Component Affected: Aircraft wings, fuselage, and pilot’s documents.Aircraft wings, fuselage, and pilot’s documents.
Category: Accident
A Gulfstream aircraft crashed on Busia’s runway after takeoff, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. The plane experienced a loss of altitude, damage to its wings and fuselage, and a catastrophic inversion. The incident was triggered by an improperly configured aircraft, including uncertified parts and tampered documents, leading to a significant safety concern. The owner, MIA International Ltd., attempted to rectify the situation through registration changes, but the accident occurred despite prior incidents in Congo and Sudan. The incident highlights a critical failure in aircraft design and maintenance, resulting in a loss of life and significant damage.A Gulfstream aircraft crashed on Busia’s runway after takeoff, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. The plane experienced a loss of altitude, damage to its wings and fuselage, and a catastrophic inversion. The incident was triggered by an improperly configured aircraft, including uncertified parts and tampered documents, leading to a significant safety concern. The owner, MIA International Ltd., attempted to rectify the situation through registration changes, but the accident occurred despite prior incidents in Congo and Sudan. The incident highlights a critical failure in aircraft design and maintenance, resulting in a loss of life and significant damage.

Description

The aircraft did not gain enough height after takeoff from Busia’s 3281 feet long runway 13/31. The airplane hit powerlines, the wings were ripped off and the Gulfstream crashed inverted against a house. Kenyan government officials were aboard the plane. Labour Minister Ahmed Khalif was killed in the accident. A public inquiry into the accident revealed that the weight of the plane was too heavy for a safe departure. The airplane in fact needed a runway length of about 3900 feet. It was also discovered that both the captain’s as well as the airplane’s papers had been tampered with. Uncertified parts were fitted onto the aircraft and maintenance personnel for the aircraft were not trained and licensed. The airplane had been damaged in several accidents in Congo and Sudan. Following an accident in Sudan in 2000 the airplane was considered an insurance write-off. The owner, MIA International Ltd, purchased the hull from the insurers, repaired and re-registered it, changing registration marks from 5Y-MIA to 5Y-EMJ.

Primary Cause

Insufficient runway length and improper aircraft configuration.Insufficient runway length and improper aircraft configuration.

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