A Kenya Air Force Harbin Y-12 airplane crashed under unknown circumstances at Irima hill in Tsavo East National Park near Voi, Kenya. All four occupants were killed.
KDF through its Twitter account confirmed the crash.
A statement by KDF on Tuesday, January 12, indicated that the aircraft, model Harbin Y-12, was involved in an accident in Voi, Taita Taveta County.
The plane had just left Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi, when the accident occurred in the mid-morning.
“Today, January 12, 2021, mid-morning, a Kenya Air Force aircraft, model Harbin Y-12, crashed in Voi, Taita Taveta County. The aircraft was from Moi Air Base, Eastleigh, Nairobi. Recovery efforts are underway,” read the statement from KDF.
Rescue teams including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials and Kenya Police arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and are currently proceeding with the rescue mission.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, sources familiar with the incident have said.
Harbin Y-12 or Yunshuji-12 is a twin engine light multi role aircraft designed and developed by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) of China.
The Y-12 is principally used for both passenger and cargo transportation. The maiden flight of the aircraft was completed in July 1982.