A Kenya Air Force helicopter crash that killed 10 people, including Chief of the Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, was caused by an engine malfunction, the Kenya Defence Force has told President William Ruto.
The tragic incident, which occurred on April 18, 2024, in Sindar Village, Elgeyo Marakwet County, prompted an investigation that has led to updated safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
The Board of Inquiry (BOI), established on the day of the crash, determined that KAF 1501 suffered a compressor stall, resulting in a complete power loss shortly after takeoff from Cheptulel Boys High School at around 14:20.
Witnesses reported a loud bang from the engine compartment, followed by a left yaw, a drop in engine RPM, and a low RPM audio alarm. The measured gas temperature gauge later revealed an over-exceedance of 914°C, corroborating the engine failure.
Despite the pilots’ attempts to guide the helicopter to a clear landing zone, they lost control, leading to the crash 1.3 nautical miles east of the school on a community farm called Shamba la Amani.
The report emphasised the reliability of the Huey, one of eight acquired from the United States in 2016, noting its extensive use in operational and peacetime missions.
Maintenance records confirmed rigorous inspections, with the most recent 25-hour servicing completed on April 5, 2024.
Laboratory tests on fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid samples, along with examinations by Bell Helicopter Textron in the U.S., found no issues with the gearbox or transmission components.
The pilots, with 1,731 and 955 flying hours respectively, were deemed experienced and mission-ready. Weather conditions—scattered clouds, easterly winds, and 25°C—were favorable, and the helicopter’s weight, carrying 12 passengers within its 13-person capacity, was not a factor.
The crash claimed the lives of General Ogolla, Brigadier Swale Saidi, pilots Major George Benson Magondu and Captain Sora Mohamed, and six others. Two survivors, Colonel Kasaine Ole Kuruta and Corporal Frankford Karanja Mogire, were airlifted to Eldoret Regional Hospital after initial treatment at Endo Health Centre.
The helicopter was destroyed, classified as Category Five damage (beyond economic repair).
In response to the BOI’s findings, the Kenya Air Force has revised its Standard Operating Procedures to enhance aviation safety. The report underscores the critical need for robust maintenance and operational protocols, as the military mourns the loss of senior officers and crew dedicated to national security.
The report was presented to the Head of State by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya at State House, Nairobi. Also present were CDF General Charles Kahariri, Vice CDF Lt-General John Omenda, and Kenya Air Force Commander Major-General Fatuma Ahmed.
