The Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the unfortunate helicopter crash on April 18, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of former Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) members, was due to an engine failure.
In a statement released on Friday, the ministry indicated that the Bell Huey helicopter KAF 1501 experienced a surge, corroborating witness accounts of a loud noise from the engine area.
Following this surge, the helicopter lost all power, leading to a decrease in the engine’s Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) and a noticeable change in engine sound. The RPM is a measure of the engine’s speed and power output.
The ministry reviewed the entire mission, from the team’s departure from Wilson Airport to Kainuk, Chesogon, and then to the Defence Forces Recruits Training School in Eldoret, confirming that the crew had completed all necessary pre-flight checks.
Additionally, the government eliminated weather conditions, crew coordination, and pilot experience as potential causes of the crash.
The ministry emphasized that both pilots were fully prepared for the mission, as per the Flying Order Book (FOB) Standard Operating Procedures.
During the mission planning, the government noted that the crew had ample time to perform Before Flight Checks with the first Line Personnel.
The aircraft had also undergone 25 hours of servicing from April 2 to April 5, 2024, to meet the highest safety standards.
“The Huey Helicopter KAF 1501 was found to have a high reliability level, having successfully completed numerous operational and training missions, including VIP flights. Moreover, the flight was conducted by a qualified and competent crew,” the statement partially noted.
The ministry has also acknowledged that the Kenya Air Force has revised and updated its Standard Operating Procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
