Chopper Crashes At Wajir Airport En Route To Collecting KCSE Papers [PHOTOS]

North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno confirmed the incident and told reporters that the helicopter developed mechanical problems immediately after take-off.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Nov 20, 2023 - 15:56 Updated: Nov 20, 2023 - 16:22
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Chopper Crashes At Wajir Airport En Route To Collecting KCSE Papers [PHOTOS]
Chopper crashes at Wajir Airport while on its way to collect KCSE papers on November 20, 2023. /NTV

Three people were injured on Monday, November 20 when a helicopter crashed at Wajir Airport on its way to collect Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers.

North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno confirmed the incident and told reporters that the helicopter developed mechanical problems immediately after take-off.

“It was just taking off to collect examination papers when it crashed, three people were injured,” he said.

Chopper crashes at Wajir Airport while on its way to collect KCSE papers on November 20, 2023. /OLE SHANGAI.X

The victims, according to reports, included a pilot and two officials who were escorting examination materials from Wajir to Abarjahan in the same area.

Images seen by Viral Tea showed that the chopper whose registration was 5Y-SDL was badly damaged during the crash, including its cockpit and fuselage.

The three were taken to hospital where they received treatment as the cause of the crash, even as police launched investigations into the incident, was not immediately revealed.

The chopper affected was an Airbus Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil which has long been regarded as the go-to helicopter for a variety of missions, including excursions, aerial filming, geological survey, search and rescue operations, casualty and evacuation services, as well as conservation support.

The chopper can do speeds of 115 knots (212.98km/h) which enables faster delivery of priority goods under extraordinary circumstances, in this case, the KCSE papers.

On Friday, November 10, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced the deployment of aircraft by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)  to be used for the distribution of the KCSE papers in areas where the roads have become impassible due to the El Nino rains.

Notably, this is the second chopper crash to occur within the space of a month. On Monday night, September 18, a KDF chopper crashed at Boni Forest in Lamu County.

In a statement to newsrooms, KDF revealed that the Huey Helicopter carried a crew and military personnel onboard who were carrying air surveillance over the vast forest.

"The crew and other military personnel onboard were part of an air surveillance squadron intensifying day and night patrols and surveillance for the ongoing Operation Amani Boni," read the statement in part.

An Airbus Eurocopter in flight. /WIKIPEDIA

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