NAIROBI — All 36 people aboard an EBB Air Embraer EMB-120 escaped injury Thursday after the turboprop veered off the runway while landing at Mandera Airstrip in Kenya's remote northeast.
The aircraft, registration 5Y-EBB, had departed Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around 6:56 a.m. local time on a scheduled domestic service. It touched down at Mandera shortly after 9 a.m., but failed to stop within the paved runway limits, according to statements from the Kenya Airports Authority.
The EMB-120RT Brasilia, a 1992-built airframe with manufacturer's serial number 120268, came to rest in thick vegetation close to the airport perimeter fence. Images circulating from the scene show its nose embedded in shrubbery after impacting a concrete pole. Additional damage included the separation of propeller blades from the number one engine. The Aviation Safety Network has categorized the damage level as substantial.
Kenya Airports Authority officials said 32 passengers and four crew members were on board when the incident occurred at approximately 0910 local time. Emergency response teams were activated immediately, coordinating with local services to ensure a prompt and orderly evacuation. All occupants were removed safely from the aircraft with no reported injuries.
"All relevant emergency response protocols were promptly activated," the authority stated, reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards of safety across its facilities. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and Air Accident Investigation Department have opened an inquiry to establish the circumstances of the runway excursion.
Mandera Airport (ICAO: HKMA, IATA: NDE) features an asphalt runway 05/23 measuring about 1,100 meters. Located near the tri-border area with Somalia and Ethiopia, the facility serves limited commercial traffic in a challenging operating environment. No information has been released regarding weather conditions or other potential factors at the time of the landing.
EBB Air has not issued a detailed public statement. As a Kenyan-registered carrier operating domestic routes with turboprop aircraft, the company maintains services to several regional destinations. This event marks a notable safety occurrence for the operator.
Runway excursions remain a significant focus in global aviation safety. While the successful outcome here demonstrates effective crew and ground response, the investigation will likely examine aircraft systems, crew procedures, runway performance data, and airport infrastructure. No timeline has been given for preliminary findings.
The incident caused only localized and temporary disruption at the small airstrip. Operations resumed after the aircraft was secured and the site cleared. Aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation as more details emerge from the ongoing probe.