Embraer EMB‑120 makes emergency landing at Kilimanjaro after zebra strike

An Embraer EMB‑120 Brasilia operated by Sindbard Air made an emergency landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport after striking a zebra during take‑off from Seronera Airstrip on 4 October 2026. The aircraft was carrying 30 people – 26 passengers and four crew – and was headed to Zanzibar. Pilots landed without the landing gear fully deployed.

Kilimanjar​o International Airport was closed while the aircraft was removed from the runway and resumed normal operations around 4:30 p.m. East Africa Time. Tanzania’s aircraft accident investigators have opened an investigation into the incident, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.