Tanzania: Plane crash in Arusha Region Nov. 15

Event

At 10:00 (local time) on Wednesday, November 15, a chartered light plane operated by Coastal Aviation crashed near the Empakaai crater in the Ngorongoro conservation area (Arusha region), killing the pilot and all ten passengers. Early reports indicate that German, UK, US, and Tanzanian citizens were present on board.

According to police sources, an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

Context

The aircraft was flying from Arusha to the Serengeti National Park. Coastal Aviation is a Tanzanian airline that flies safari-goers in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya. On October 25, another Coastal Airlines flight crash-landed at Lobo airstrip in the Serengeti National Park, injuring the pilot and two passengers.

Advice

Individuals in the Ngorongoro conservation area​ are advised to avoid the area around the crash site. Travelers to the Serengeti National Park are advised to research airline safety records prior to booking.

On a separate note, the majority of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the eastern province of Kigoma (along the Burundian border) due to an unstable political and health environment, as well as to the Rwandan border (Kagera province).