Preliminary investigations into the tragic crash of the KDF chopper, resulting in the loss of CDF Gen. Francis Ogolla and nine other military officers, have revealed mechanical issues with the helicopter.
Investigators have cited a malfunction with the helicopter’s propeller as a contributing factor to the fatal incident.
Eyewitnesses reported that the propeller of the Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopter abruptly stopped rotating shortly after takeoff.
This sudden malfunction led to the collapse of the helicopter’s engine, causing the aircraft to crash and burst into flames, resulting in the loss of 10 lives. Two others narrowly escaped the crash.
A team of experts, led by Major-General John Omenda, commander of the Kenya Air Force, is diligently investigating the cause of the crash. Their focus is on assessing the mechanical condition of the helicopter before takeoff and evaluating the pilots’ condition at the time of the incident.
The ill-fated chopper was part of a fleet of Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopters acquired by the KDF from the US in 2016.
