A military probe concluded that engine malfunction caused the chopper crash that killed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Francis Ogolla and other officers.
In a report released, the Ministry of Defence said that the Huey Helicopter KAF 1501 was assessed to have had a relatively high level of reliability, having conducted several operational and training missions, including VIP flights.
“Based on facts and evidence gathered, and indicated in the findings above, the Board of Inquiry is of the opinion that the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) Helicopter KAF 1501 crashed due to Engine Malfunction.”
“Further, the flight was operated by qualified, competent crew. However, dependent on information from the survivors, after experiencing Complete Power Loss, the Pilots of KAF 1501 attempted to control the Helicopter to a clear Landing Zone but lost positive control of the aircraft,” the report read.
The chopper crashed on April 18, 2024 as it took off.
According to the report, the investigations established that the helicopter suffered Engine Compressor Stall (Surge).
This is consistent with witness report of a loud bang at the Engine compartment and the Measured Gas Temperature (MGT) gauge, which when powered, displayed an Over-Exceedance of 914 °C.
The Helicopter then experienced a Complete Power Loss, which was followed by a left yaw, drop in Engine Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), low RPM audio alarm and change in engine noise, as narrated by witnesses on the ground and accident scene reconstruction.
Ogolla died after a chopper he was travelling in alongside other officials crashed in Kaben, Marakwet East.
The chopper is said to have been carrying 12 people, including officers of the rank of General, when it went down.
Witnesses said it burst into flames on crashing.
The Board of Inquiry, composed of MOD technical experts and Kenya Air Force aviation investigators, concluded that the Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter (KAF 1501) suffered a catastrophic engine compressor stall—commonly referred to as a surge—shortly after take-off.
Following the engine failure, the pilots attempted to navigate the aircraft to a clear landing zone but lost positive control, resulting in the crash at Sindar Village, Kaben Sub-location, Tot Division in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“Having considered all factors based on facts and evidence gathered, the Board of Inquiry is of the opinion that the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter KAF 1501 crashed due to engine malfunction,” the report says.
The crew was described as competent and experienced.
“The captain was very experienced and competent. He was jovial and interactive with colleagues,” noted the investigation. “The co-pilot, though slightly reserved, communicated well when required. Crew coordination was less likely to be a contributing factor.”
The ill-fated mission had seen Gen Ogolla visit troops under Operation Maliza Uhalifu in North Rift counties before he presided over a school rehabilitation project in West Pokot.
He was en route to Uasin Gishu to inspect other development works and later head to his Siaya home when the crash occurred.
The 12 people on board included senior officers from Defence Headquarters, pilots, aides, media personnel, and security officers.
Only two survived: Colonel Kasaine Ole Kuruta and Corporal Frankford Karanja Mogire.
Those who died included Gen Ogolla, Brig Swale Saidi (Commander Combat Engineers Brigade)
Col Duncan Keittany, Lit Col David Sawe, Maj George Benson Magondu (Pilot), Captain Sora Mohamed (Pilot), Captain Hillary Litali (Aide-de-Camp to CDF), Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi,
Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
President William Ruto, during Gen Ogolla’s memorial service, had vowed transparency and accountability in the probe.
“No stone will be left unturned,” he said, promising to make the investigation results public.
The first anniversary of the crash will be held on April 18, 2025.
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