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Cessna 208 Grand Caravan
Our most versatile aircraft is the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan. The 208 is a single engine turboprop outfitted for short, rough airstrips. This all-weather aircraft can haul up to 2600 pounds of cargo, or up to 13 passengers and practically anything we can fit through the large cargo doors in the rear. The Caravan is quickly becoming the airplane of choice for missionary aviation worldwide, and it is the most heavily booked airplane at AIM AIR. This last Saturday, 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. 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. Find out more about Aim Air on their website |
