ELDORET, Kenya, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan aviation authorities said Monday they have launched investigations following a series of air incidents involving a domestic airline.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the audit on Silverstone Air Services will determine the level of compliance with the current civil aviation regulations.
"The audit is being performed in order to determine the level of compliance with the current Civil Aviation regulations and their own company approved manuals and procedures," KCAA director general Gilbert Kibe said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
The drastic action comes a few hours after a Silverstone aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Eldoret International Airport in northwest Kenya after one of its tyres dropped off mid-air.
The plane with only four passengers and five crew landed safely at the airport without the tyre and amid heightened emergency services.
The airline later confirmed that its Dash 8-300, registration number 5YBWG, lost the number 3 wheel assembly. The wheel is very crucial for the stability of the aircraft.
"The safety of our customers and the crew are always our top priority. The captain of the flight decided to divert to Eldoret International Airport in the interests of the continued safety of the passengers and the crew. This was a precautionary action and the aircraft landed safely," the airline said in a statement.
Silverstone Air said it had activated its contingency plans and the customers affected were rebooked and have since landed safely in Nairobi.
KCAA, however, said the investigation of the incidents and accidents is being conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID) of the ministry of transport, infrastructure, housing, urban development and public works.
"KCAA reassures the public that safety and security within the Kenyan airspace remain our paramount priority and we encourage you to remain vigilant in reporting safety concerns," KCAA said.
The police said one of the left tyres dropped off soon after the plane took off from the Lodwar Airstrip and emergency services were immediately activated in Eldoret for the landing.
Johnstone Ipara, Uasin Gishu Police Commander said all the passengers and crew were evacuated safely from the aircraft immediately it landed at the airport.
Some of the passengers who looked to be panic said they had been alerted about the emergency landing in Eldoret even though the plane was headed to Nairobi.
On Oct. 11 a Silverstone airline skidded off the runway of Wilson Airport in Nairobi, injuring at least nine passengers on board.
The Fokker 50 aircraft which had 50 passengers, skid off the airport runaway as it prepared to take off to Lamu.
Reports also say another Silverstone aircraft hit and damaged another plane at the Wilson Airport in Nairobi on Sunday morning. Enditem
