EBB Air Embraer Skids Off Runway at Mandera; All Onboard Safe

An EBB Air Embraer EMB‑120RT, registration 5Y‑EBB, veered off the runway after landing at Mandera Airport on Friday, ending up in surrounding vegetation. The aircraft had departed Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport earlier in the morning and was operating a scheduled service to Mandera.

According to officials at the scene, the turboprop lost control moments after touchdown, leaving the paved surface and coming to rest near the perimeter area of the airstrip. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.

Witnesses described the aircraft veering off the runway shortly after landing, while images shared by local media showed the Embraer resting partially in bushes adjacent to the strip. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed the incident and said the aircraft experienced a runway excursion at approximately 9:10 a.m., prompting a coordinated emergency response.

Aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the excursion. Officials said it is too early to establish whether mechanical issues, weather conditions, or operational factors contributed to the loss of directional control. No preliminary findings have been released.

EBB Air and airport officials are assessing the aircraft and runway conditions as part of the inquiry. In the meantime, the airline has diverted incoming Mandera‑bound flights to Elwak airstrip until further notice, a move expected to temporarily affect regional schedules.

KAA stated that it remains committed to maintaining high safety standards across all airports and airstrips as investigators document evidence and review the sequence of events leading to the incident.