17-Yr-Old Crashes Light Aircraft After Stealing It From Tycoon [PHOTOS]

A 17-year-old boy was on Friday, March 24 taken into custody by police after he daringly attempted to commandeer a light aircraft he stole from a ranch, only to crash it before it could take off.

The teenager, David Chege, had gained access to a tycoon's ranch in Gilgil, Nakuru County and eventually to the plane's cockpit despite having zero flying skills.

According to a situational report by the investigators, at around 11:40 am, Chege walked into an expansive farm, got into a spray aircraft and ignited the engine.

An aircraft damaged after a teenager's failed takeoff from a ranch in Gilgil, Nakuru County. /TWITTER

It was however not established how the youngster managed to sneak into the ranch and towards the hangar undetected.

"It was reported by the owner of a spray aircraft registration number 5Y-AZA make PA25, and a resident of Balolow area within Ndume area of Gilgil around 9:30 am, a stranger walked into the ranch and boarded the cabin of the plane parked at the yard (sic)," the police report indicated in part.

Chege had turned on the engine and taxied off the bay, but his attempts at completing a successful takeoff stumbled as he rammed into an electric fence, with the engine blown off on impact and the wheels damaged.

"The propeller and front curling were damaged, with the suspect escaping unhurt," the report added.

Gilgil sub-county police commander Francis Tumbo confirmed the incident saying the dazed teenager was later arrested by the police and was assisting them with investigations.

The police were yet to establish the motive of the daredevil act, with the incident creating a discourse between unbelieving Gilgil residents and rattling a section of aviation enthusiasts on social media.

In Kenya, attaining a pilot licence requires the interested person to attend special schools where they are taught the craft of flying. According to data from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), there are only 24 institutions in the country that are authorised to offer aviation courses. 

Some of the schools offer their courses for a period of four to six months with the fee ranging from Ksh630,000 to Ksh2.8 million. The prices mainly cover flying hours, course work and pilot kits which include the uniform.

On February 26, 2023, two people; a pilot and a passenger escaped death by a whisker after a light aircraft they were travelling in crashed in Baringo County.

The aircraft bearing registration number 5Y-PEC, which was from Narok crashed while preparing to land at the Kampi ya Samaki airstrip, which is close to Lake Baringo.