The crashed jet flown by John Ordway and daughter Isabella. Picture: John Ordway, Facebook

The crashed plane and inset John Ordway and daughter Isabella. Picture: John Ordway, Facebook

A father and daughter have escaped unhurt after their light aircraft crash landed during a vintage air rally.

Pilots John and Isabella Ordway suffered complete engine failure 80 miles from Nairobi.

Writing on Facebook Mr Ordway, from Co Cork, described their terrifying ordeal.

"We had a complete engine failure 80 miles from Nairobi (the end part for our vintage air rally) and Had to crash land. Both bella and I are thankfully fine. The plane was destroyed but we walked away without a scratch.

"Given our detainment in Ethiopia and this, I can honestly say, we are ready to come home!"

Mr Ordway posted some pictures of the smashed Boeing Stearman biplane.

The pair had been interchangeably flying the plane as Ms Ordway worked towards getting her pilot licence next year.

County police commander Hassan Barua said his officers were on the ground assessing the scene.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close John Ordway and Isabelle. Picture: Facebook The crashed jet flown by John Ordway and daughter Isabella. Picture: John Ordway, Facebook / Facebook

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About a dozen planes from the 1920s and 30s are taking part in the 13,000 rally across the African continent.

The rally has been dogged by incidents with 72-year-old British pilot Maurice Kirk going missing twice.

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After being released from Ethiopia he landed up in conflict-torn South Sudan instead of Kenya.

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