Kiambu, August 8, 2025 – Investigators probing the Mwihoko air ambulance crash have confirmed the recovery of one crucial component of the aircraft’s black box, even as the search continues for the remaining parts.
The AMREF Flying Doctors air ambulance, a Cessna Citation, crashed into a residential building in Mwihoko, Kiambu County, on Thursday afternoon, killing all four people on board and two residents inside the house. The aircraft had taken off from Wilson Airport and was en route to Garissa before it went down just minutes into the flight.
Search teams, including officers from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the National Police Service, and local disaster response units, have been combing through the crash site since Thursday evening.
Speaking to the press on Friday morning, a senior investigator confirmed that one section of the flight data recorder—commonly referred to as the black box—had been retrieved from the debris. “We have found one of the two crucial components that will help us piece together what happened. The other part is still missing, and locating it is our top priority,” the official said.
The black box typically consists of two parts: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which stores technical flight information, and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which captures audio communications between pilots. Both are essential in reconstructing events before a crash.
Authorities have appealed to Mwihoko residents to assist in the search. “If you come across any suspicious aircraft parts, please report immediately. Do not tamper with them,” urged the KCAA. Reports indicate that a reward is being offered to anyone who turns in the missing recorder section.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Investigators say they will rely on black box data, radar records, maintenance logs, and witness accounts to determine what led to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the wreckage has been secured under heavy guard to preserve evidence. Rescue and recovery operations have now transitioned into a full investigation phase, with international aviation experts expected to join the probe.
The Mwihoko community is still reeling from the incident, with residents describing the crash scene as “like a war zone.” Several families whose homes were damaged are receiving humanitarian assistance from the county government and the Kenya Red Cross.
The preliminary investigation report is expected within 30 days, but a full analysis could take several months, depending on when the missing black box component is recovered.
