Three people have been confirmed dead after an aircraft crashed at Kwachocha area in Malindi, Kilifi County.

According to eyewitness reports, the Friday afternoon incident saw the aircraft losing control following technical hitches and crashing before bursting into flames.

 A training aircraft crash-landed on Friday afternoon in Malindi, killing three people at a busy roadside stage in Kwachocha area just outside the airport.

Kilifi County Police Commander Joseph Ongwae confirmed the fatalities, identifying the victims as two boda boda riders and a pillion, who was identified as Naomi Chitsaka Mwagona, 58, the head teacher at Mashamba Primary School, who was on one of the motorbikes.

“We have three fatalities from the incident, and these are people who were on the roadside,” Ongwae said.

The aircraft, operated by the Kenya Aeronautical College, had taken off from Malindi Airport en route to Wilson Airport in Nairobi when it developed mechanical problems.

On board were a pilot, an instructor, and a student, all of whom escaped with minor injuries and were rushed to Twafiq Hospital in Malindi for treatment.

Police said one of the boda boda riders was burnt beyond recognition when the aircraft exploded and caught fire on impact.

Firefighters from the Kenya Airports Authority and Malindi Municipality, with assistance from locals, extinguished the blaze.

The incident drew a large crowd, causing massive traffic congestion in the area.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is investigating the mechanical failure that led to the crash.