Engine failure caused helicopter crash that killed ex-CDF Francis Ogolla, probe concludes
Ogolla died at the age of 62 in a tragic air crash in Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet, when the Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter he was travelling in, alongside 11 other military officials, crashed and burned at around 2.20 pm.
A military investigation has confirmed that engine failure caused the helicopter crash that killed former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla and other senior officers on April 18, 2024.
In a report released on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter, KAF 1501, had been in good condition and operated by experienced crew, but suffered a sudden engine problem during flight.
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“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 says.
The investigation team found that the helicopter suffered what is known as an engine compressor stall (surge), which caused the engine to stop working completely.
“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 report said.
The loss of power led to a sharp turn to the left, a drop in engine speed, and a loud alarm warning of low engine revolutions, according to witnesses and experts who studied the crash site.
“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,” the Defence Ministry said.
General Ogolla died after the helicopter crashed in Kaben, Marakwet East. He was travelling with 11 other people, most of them military officers.
Witnesses said the chopper burst into flames after crashing. Only one person, believed to be a photographer, survived.
General Ogolla died at the age of 62 in a tragic air crash in Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet, when the Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter he was travelling in, alongside 11 other military officials, crashed and burned at around 2.20 pm.
Before the crash, Ogolla had received a security briefing in Chesitet, Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, where he addressed troops.
From there, he and his entourage went to Chesegon in West Pokot, where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School, one of the projects being undertaken by the military as part of the long-term strategy to end banditry in the region.
However, soon after departing Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he had gone to inspect ongoing construction, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off.
Ogolla died in the crash, along with nine others. Two survivors of the crash were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.
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