The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has rubbished claims that a Kenya Airways flight number KQ101 landing in Nairobi from London almost collided with another aircraft at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The information which was shared first by an X user (formerly Twitter) identified as Moina Sponer who claimed to be aboard the aforementioned KQ aircraft when it almost crashed on September 8, 2023.
Spooner who called on relevant authorities to investigate the matter alleged that the pilot of the said plane alerted them that he had to make an unexpected turn since there was another aircraft on the runway.
“Our plane was landing and close to touchdown (we could see the runway and buildings alongside it) it took off at a very sharp angle. After the plane was high enough and leveled out, the pilot informed us that he had to because there was another plane on the runway.
“This could have ended really badly – and clearly something went wrong. I am so grateful to the KQ pilot for his quick thinking, for keeping us safe and calm. I hope this situation gets fully investigated and addressed. We can’t wait for a tragedy to happen before there’s action,” Spooner said.
Spooner’s claims were later confirmed by data from flight radar which states that flight KQ1010 from London initiated a go-around turn at 5,375 feet at about 3800 feet before the runway threshold.
However, KCAA watered down the claims noting that the sudden turnaround witnessed is a normal procedure when the runway in use is unavailable for landing.
The authority also claimed that all passengers aboard were safe and that no safety of the aircraft was jeopardised during the incident.
“The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) was alive to the situation involving Kenya Airways B787 Dreamliner aircraft flight number KQA101 from London Heathrow on 8th September 2023 while approaching to land at JKIA.
“The go-around by KQA101 was a normal procedure when the runway in use is not available for landing. At no time was the safety of the 4KQ aircraft and persons on board in jeopardy,” the authority said in a statement shared on its official social media pages. BY K24 NEWS