Airliner strikes zebra during takeoff; landing gear fails to deploy, forcing belly landing.
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On October 4 (local time), an EMB-120 aircraft operated by Tanzania's Sindbad Air struck a zebra while taking off from Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park. The aircraft subsequently experienced landing gear issues; it diverted to Kilimanjaro International Airport and performed a belly landing after the landing gear failed to fully extend.
The aircraft involved (registration 5H-HLL) was en route from Seronera Airstrip to Zanzibar, carrying a total of 30 people-26 passengers and 4 crew members. It struck a zebra during the takeoff roll, killing the animal instantly.
The flight crew discovered they could not properly extend the main landing gear and decided to divert to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The aircraft ultimately landed on the runway at Kilimanjaro Airport on its belly, with the main landing gear retracted. All persons on board disembarked safely, and there were no reported injuries.
Video footage shows the aircraft's fuselage scraping violently against the runway, generating significant smoke and debris, and sustaining substantial damage.
Following the incident, Kilimanjaro International Airport temporarily suspended operations to handle the aircraft involved and inspect the runway. Local media reported that the airport resumed operations after being closed for approximately five hours.
Tanzania's civil aviation accident investigation authority has launched an inquiry into the incident.
Media reports suggest that the landing gear malfunction might be linked to a collision with a zebra; however, investigators have not yet released their findings, and a direct causal link between the collision and the malfunction remains to be confirmed.
Seronera Airstrip, located within Serengeti National Park, is a basic airfield that lacks the comprehensive perimeter fencing and runway incursion prevention systems found at major airports; consequently, wildlife entering the runway area poses a specific operational risk.