REVEALED: Cause Of KDF Chopper Crash That Killed CDF Francis Ogolla

An engine malfunction has been revealed to be the cause of the chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County that claimed the life of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla and nine others.

This has been revealed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a report released following a military investigation into the crash, which reportedly occurred as early as 2.20 pm on April 18, 2024, close to a year after the crash occurred.

Findings released on Friday, April 11, revealed that technical experts from the Ministry of Defence, along with aviation investigators, determined that the Kenya Air Force helicopter experienced a major engine failure shortly after taking off from West Pokot—ultimately causing the deadly crash.

The report comes amid growing public scrutiny over how the Chief of Defence Forces, one of Kenya’s most heavily protected individuals, could lose their life in a helicopter accident.

Photo of President William Ruto and Chief of Defence Forces, Francis Ogolla. /PCS

"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. Further, the flight was operated by a 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 obtained by Viral Tea reads in part.

"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"

Consequently, in accordance with the recommendations of the BOI, the Kenya Air Force has updated and reviewed its Standard Operating Procedures to avert future occurrences. 

The former KDF boss was onboard a Bell UH-1B helicopter, nicknamed the "Huey," at the time of the crash. This helicopter was developed in the 1950s and widely used by the United States (US) military during the Vietnam War.

The report considered the following parameters: aircrew and technical aspects, mission planning and execution, weather as well as character, crew cooperation and coordination. Also considered were communication and engine. All of them were deemed to be less likely contributing factors of the crash...except the engine.

"The Helicopter suffered Engine Compressor Stall (Surge), which is consistent with the 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 5 a left yaw, drop in Engine RPM, low RPM audio alarm and change in engine noise, as narrated by witnesses on the ground and accident scene reconstruction," added the report.

Witnesses reported to a team dispatched to investigate the accident that the helicopter, a Bell UH-1H Huey II, dropped abruptly and landed on its belly shortly after takeoff, with its propeller not in motion.

The crash impact caused the engine to collapse, and the impact caused the rooftop engine to cave in, crushing the victims on board. An autopsy confirmed that the victims had sustained multiple injuries.

Chain Of KDF Aircraft & Chopper Crashes

The crash involving a military aircraft chopper adds to the series of crashes that have raised concerns regarding the safety of military hardware. This is a trend that stemmed from the government's decision to transfer the management of civilian-owned aircraft to the military in December 2020, leading to the establishment of the National Air Support Department (NASD) at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.

1. On November 20, 2023, tragedy struck when KAF 1101, a Mi 171e helicopter delivered in 2011, crashed in Buna, Garissa during patrols for Operation Amani Boni.
2. Another incident occurred on November 9, 2023, involving an AS 550 C3 Fennec delivered in 2018, designated for attack purposes, crashing in Ol Tepesi, Kajiado.
3. Another accident involved a refurbished Bell UH-1M Huey 2 delivered in 2017, which crashed in Lamu county, and an AS 550 C3 Fennec delivered in 2018, which crashed in Chemolingot, West Pokot, on July 20, 2023, while accompanying Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

The frequency of these incidents, especially considering the significant number involving a single operator (KDF) within a short span, raised concerns within the aviation industry.

Screengrab of the wreckage of the chopper crash that killed CDF Francis Ogolla on April 18, 2024. /MINISTRY OF DEFENCE REPORT