Investigators from Kenya, South Africa and the USA are trying to establish why a Fairchild Metro II crashed into the slopes of Mount Kenya on a charter from Nairobi to a game reserve.
The aircraft was being operated by South African charter company Ryan Blake Air on behalf of another South African company, Air 2000. All 12 passengers - US tourists - and both pilots on board the twin turboprop died when the aircraft struck Mount Kenya's eastern Point Lenana 16,344ft (4,985m) peak at around 16.30 on 19 July. The point of impact was close to the top of the mountain's third highest point.
According to Ryan Blake Air, the aircraft was transporting the 12 tourists from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to a private airstrip in the Samburu national park for Air 2000, which is based at Lanseria airport in Johannesburg, and operates charter flights across Africa. The 23-year-old aircraft (ZS-OYI) was one of two Metros operated by Ryan Blake Air. The airline acquired the 19-seater in September 2000 from Canada's Air Montreal.
Mount Kenya, about 175km (95nm) north of Nairobi, rises to 17,050ft. According to reports, the crew's flight plan allowed them to fly around the mountain before landing. Ryan Blake Air says it is unaware of any approval or plan to undertake sightseeing of the mountain as part of the flight.
Source: Flight International
