AIM AIR Accident

This last Saturday, (April 26) one of the AIM Air planes was involved in a very
serious accident during takeoff. While the aircraft was severely
damaged, the pilot and four passengers came through the accident in
remarkably good condition and are in recovery from their various
injuries.

Andy Keller, a long time AIM Air pilot, landed at a SIM medical
mission station in Doro to pick up four of the SIM nurses. He was
flying 5Y-SPK, a Cessna Caravan which easily carries 9 passengers.
On takeoff around 12:40 pm, the aircraft lifted off but failed to
attain sufficient airspeed to clear the obstacles at the end of the
runway. The left wing of the plane struck the ground, and the
Caravan flipped onto its back.

Events in the next few minutes are not completely clear, as all five
on board were very shaken by the experience. But the five were able
to help each other as they unbelted themselves from the inverted
seats onto the ceiling of the upside down airplane and crawled
outside. By this time, other medical professionals from the clinic
were able to get to the accident site and give aid.

The five, after being stabilized, were airlifted by a UN helicopter
to a nearby medical facility for further test and observations. The
next day, they were moved to Nairobi on an AIM Air DC3 under the care
of a SIM doctor.

SIM has reported the condition of the nurses as stable and
recovering. All have now been released from the hospital. One
suffered a fracture of her sternum and a dislocated thumb. Another
was a broken rib. All were sore and had smaller ailments. The pilot
is also in recovery. He was diagnosed with a broken bone in his knee
and had surgery today (April 29).

A thorough and professional accident investigation has already
begun. Other organizations will be involved, and the results will be
used as part of a continuing effort to improve the safety of both AIM
Air and mission aviation world-wide.

There is a deeper reality that surrounds the events described above.
We minister in Africa in the context of a spiritual war. As partners
in ministry, SIM and AIM missionaries share in the risk of ministry.
This event is one of many that remind us that we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against the principalities of this world.

The opposition that we face, which is evident in many ways, is a
testimony that God is accomplishing His purposes through His
servants. We should not be dismayed that we suffer, knowing that He
has already defeated the enemy.

So we praise God! We praise Him no matter what is happening around
us. We worship Him because of who He is. The true foundation of
praise is God, not our circumstances. Praise God that in His mercy
he spared the lives of His servants.

Please continue to hold the four SIM nurses up in prayer as they
recover from both the emotional and physical trauma of the accident.
Please pray for Andy and for his healing. Pilots bear a heavy burden
in these situations. Pray also for the ministry of AIM Air as the
organization will be stretched during the time of recovery following
this significant event.

Written by Alan Masters (Director of International Services, AIM)