Cessna Citation XLS: Features, Cost of AMREF Plane that Crashed in Nairobi Killing 6
- AMREF Flying Doctors confirmed that one of its planes crashed in Nairobi on Thursday, August 7, with several of its members on board
- The plane is manufactured by Textron Aviation and is part of the Citation series, with better features than its predecessor, the XLS+
- The mid-sized jet, which costs millions, has remarkable range, speed, and comfort for short- to medium-haul flights
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
On Thursday, August 7, AMREF Flying Doctors confirmed that one of its planes, a Cessna Citation XLS, crashed in Nairobi's Mwihoko area.
Source: Twitter
The aircraft registered as 5Y-FDM was involved in a fatal accident three minutes after taking off from Wilson Airport.
In a statement, the health organisation noted the ill-fated aircraft was en route to Hargeisa, Somalia.
"AMREF Flying Doctors confirms that one of its aircraft, Cessna Citation XLS, registration 5Y-FDM, was involved in a fatal accident today. The aircraft took off from Wilson at 2:17pm en route to Hargeisa, Somalia and crashed at Mwihoko area, Nairobi," it revealed.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that on board the plane were four crew members and medical personnel.
What are the features of the Cessna Citation XLS plane?
The plane is manufactured by Textron Aviation.
Its ample head and shoulder space enables passengers to stretch and move about comfortably, due to a 66-inch cabin width.
It is part of the Citation series and boasts better avionics, passenger comfort, and interior features than its predecessor, the XLS+.
It has 11 windows and a standard side-facing couch.
With its remarkable range, speed, and comfort for short- to medium-haul flights, the Citation XLS Gen2 is a well-known mid-size jet with several uses that make it convenient for business travel.
The Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 can cruise at up to 507 mph (815km/h) and has a range of 3,380 kilometres thanks to its two Pratt & Whitney PW545C engines.
Source: Getty Images
What is the cost of the Cessna Citation XLS plane?
According to Aircraft Bluebook's Summer 2024 data, the plane costs between $5.9 million (KSh 763 million) for a 2004 model and $6.4 million (KSh 827.8 million) for a 2009 model.
Global Air revealed that it costs $4,612 (KSh 596,528) to operate it per hour.
The plane has a capacity of nine passengers.
How many people died in the crash?
Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula confirmed that at least six people died in the aircraft crash.
According to Wafula, two Mwihoko residents were killed when the jet crashed into a house.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service led search and rescue efforts.
Who mourned AMREF crash victims?
Concerned Kenyans, friends, and family on social media expressed their sorrow over the deaths of their loved ones in the unfortunate plane crash.
Jane Omusula, a member of the AMREF team on board the aircraft, was one of the nurses killed in the tragic accident.
While sharing happy memories of her, Jane's friends grieved at her untimely death.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
