Cessna 208 accident near Ngorongoro, Tz, November 15, 2017
On November 15, 2017 at about 8:05 am local time, a Cessna 208, registered N5HEGG, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Ngorongoro. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 11 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 2017 · about 8:05 am local time
- Place
- Ngorongoro, Tanzania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 11 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 208 B · all 208s on the register
- Registration
- N5HEGG · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 15, 2017, about 0805 coordinated universal time, Cessna 208B, Tanzanian registration 5H-EGG, operated by Coastal Aviation LTD., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The pilot and 10 passengers were fatally injured. The passenger flight departed Kilimanjaro International Airport (HTKJ), Hai District, Tanzania, destined for Seronera Airstrip (HTSN), Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the United Republic of Tanzania. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Air Accident Investigation Branch P.O. Box 2819 Dar es Salaam United Republic of Tanzania Tel.: (255) 22 212-1530 Fax: (255) 22 212-2079 E-mail: permsec@mot.go.tz This report is for informational purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Tanzania.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during enroute defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
- Operator: Coastal Aviation LTD.
The flight
- Departed from: HTKJ Kilimanjaro
- Destination: HTSN Serengeti Park
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 10 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.