On the morning of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, a light-aircraft operated by Mombasa Air Safari tragically crashed in the coastal region of Kwale County, Kenya. The aircraft, identified as a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with registration 5Y-CCA, was on a scheduled domestic charter flight. Its route was from Diani Beach (Ukunda Airstrip), a popular destination for tourists, to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip located within the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. This scenic flight, known for offering breathtaking aerial views, ended in disaster.

The airline confirmed that there were no survivors among the 12 individuals on board. The human cost of the crash was profound and international, with the passenger manifest revealing ten foreign guests: eight Hungarian nationals and two German nationals. These passengers were accompanied by two dedicated Kenyan crew members, whose lives were also tragically lost. The airline expressed its deepest regrets and immediately prioritized supporting the grieving families from across the globe, establishing a dedicated Family Assistance Team.

The crash site was identified in a hilly, wooded section of Kwale County. Reports from the time indicated severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, thick mist, and poor visibility, which likely contributed to the challenging environment. Witnesses in the vicinity reported hearing a loud explosion, and the subsequent discovery of the wreckage showed it to be burnt out.

Following the accident, the Kenyan government swiftly mobilized emergency services and investigators to the scene. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) has been deployed to conduct a thorough on-site investigation, strictly adhering to the guidelines outlined in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13. Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir issued a formal statement offering condolences to the affected families and emphasizing the government's unwavering commitment to aviation safety as a paramount priority. Mombasa Air Safari Limited has pledged its complete cooperation with the official inquiry, promising transparency throughout the process. This tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with light aircraft operations in Kenya's vital tourism corridors, particularly on popular routes like Diani to Maasai Mara.