Runway Excursion of EBB Air Embraer at Mandera Airstrip Leaves All 36 Onboard Uninjured

On 24 April 2026 an Embraer aircraft (registration 5Y-EBB) operated by Kenyan carrier EBB Air overran the runway at Mandera Airstrip in northeastern Kenya and came to rest in surrounding vegetation. All 32 passengers and 4 crew members were evacuated without injury.

Embraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera FlightThe Straits TimesEBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

Mandera Airstrip, near Kenya’s borders with Somalia and Ethiopia, is primarily used for humanitarian flights to refugee camps and charter services for government officials and business travelers. EBB Air provides scheduled domestic services between Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Mandera County.

The Straits TimesEmbraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera FlightEBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

• 06:55 a.m. – Aircraft departs JKIA for Mandera (FlightRadar24 schedule).

Embraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera Flight

• 08:30 – 09:10 a.m. – Conflicting reports place the landing and runway excursion at 08:30, 08:55, or 09:10 a.m. local time.

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

• Immediately after landing – Aircraft skids beyond the runway, stops in a thicket beyond the perimeter fence.

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

• Minutes later – Emergency teams evacuate all occupants.

Plane Overruns Runway at Mandera Airstrip and Crashes Into Vegetation

• Aircraft: Embraer, registration 5Y-EBB.

Embraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera Flight

• Occupants: 36 total (32 passengers, 4 crew).

Plane Overruns Runway at Mandera Airstrip and Crashes Into Vegetation

• Damage: Significant airframe damage; tail protruding, fuselage buried in bushes.

Plane Overruns Runway at Mandera Airstrip and Crashes Into Vegetation

• Recent operational pattern: Four consecutive days of back-to-back flights from JKIA, including a 5-minute turnaround on 23 April and multiple 4-hour legs on 20 April, indicating limited downtime.

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed the incident and said ground support teams responded immediately. An aviation source with KAA added, “Everyone was accounted for, and we are waiting for the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the accident, which also caused significant damage to the aircraft.” The Mandera County police commander, cited by Daily Nation, reiterated that all on board escaped unharmed.

Embraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera Flight

EBB Air has not issued a formal comment, prompting calls for greater transparency. Aviation analysts highlighted the intensive schedule, noting “frequent back-to-back operations from Nairobi, with limited downtime between rotations,” as a potential safety concern. The event follows a runway excursion at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on 20 March 2026, raising questions about oversight of remote-airstrip operations.

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

Eyewitness photos showed the aircraft’s tail protruding from dense vegetation while the forward fuselage lay buried. Emergency responders rescued trapped passengers and secured the runway perimeter for safety inspections.

Plane Overruns Runway at Mandera Airstrip and Crashes Into Vegetation

Sources differ on the exact time of the excursion—08:30 a.m., 08:55 a.m., and 09:10 a.m. are all cited. The cause remains undetermined; investigators will examine operational, technical, and weather factors.

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

• “Everyone was accounted for, and we are waiting for the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the accident, which also caused significant damage to the aircraft,” — Aviation source, Kenya Airports Authority

The Straits Times

• “Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirms that an aircraft operating a domestic flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was involved in a runway excursion incident at Mandera Airstrip this morning,” — KAA statement

Embraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera Flight

• “All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, with ground support teams responding immediately.” — KAA statement

Embraer Aircraft Veers Off Runway on Nairobi-Mandera Flight

• “The cause of the incident is yet to be determined, with aviation authorities expected to examine operational, technical, and environmental factors.” — Aviation analyst, Capital FM Kenya

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

• “The schedule indicates frequent back-to-back operations from with Nairobi, with limited downtime between rotations in some instances.” — Capital FM Kenya report

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported

The incident highlights safety challenges for aircraft operating on short, remote runways that support critical humanitarian missions. Damage to the aircraft and temporary suspension of Mandera Airstrip operations could affect aid deliveries to displaced populations in the region.

Plane Overruns Runway at Mandera Airstrip and Crashes Into Vegetation

Kenya’s aviation regulator will conduct a formal investigation, reviewing flight-data recordings, runway conditions, and aircraft weight. Findings are expected to inform potential revisions to operating procedures for remote airstrips and address concerns raised by recent runway excursions.

EBB Air Embraer aircraft overruns runway at Mandera Airstrip, no casualties reported