A Aeronav/Kenya School of Flying Let L-410, registration 5Y-VVA performing a freight flight from an unknown point of origin to Qansax Dheere (Somalia) carrying medical supplies (Covid-19), was on approach to Qansax Dheere about 3.8nm before landing when a number of bullets hit the aircraft. The crew continued for a landing at Qansax Dheere without further incident. All occupants disembarked uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage by gun bullets penetrating wings and cabin.
Somali media claim citing unconfirmed reports the crew was arrested after landing and their mobile phones were confiscated by Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The mayor of Qansax Dheere reported the aircraft was about 7km from Qansax Dheere airfield when the aircraft was hit by a number of bullets. He suspects militants from Al Shabaab to have used motor cycles to get close to the airfield and attack the aircraft. This aircraft had been the second aircraft to land that day, the first aircraft landed without incident around 09:00L, the second aircraft, 5Y-VVA, was on approach at about 11:00L when it was being shot at.
Local media however rule out Al Shabaab stating that there had been no activity in the region by Al Shababb for years. Media claim Ethiopian troops again misidentified an aircraft and opened fire onto the aircraft.
Qansax Dheere airfield, just like Berdale, is being controlled by Ethiopian National Defense Forces (EDNF). Their Berdale commander had admitted to have shot down another Kenyan aircraft about 3 weeks earlier, see Crash: East African Express E120 at Berdale on May 4th 2020, aircraft shot down by Ethiopian troops.
5Y-VVA used to operate for Blue Bird Aviation, however, according to local sources was recently sold to Aeronav/Kenya School of Flying. The paint scheme matches Kenya School of Flying, the school however does not list the aircraft as part of their fleet. The School however had acquired a full motion simulator of a Dash 8-400 in 2019.