Recent helicopter accidents in Kenya have mostly involved the Bell Huey II, a US-made aircraft. This was the same type of helicopter carrying the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla before it crashed near the border between West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet.
In November 2016, the KDF acquired six Bell Huey II helicopters as second-hand aircraft from the US. These helicopters were issued by the then-American ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec.
The Bell Huey II reportedly costs upwards of Sh. 744 million ($5.6 million). This aircraft was added to KDF’s arsenal to enhance efforts in combating terrorism both within Kenya and beyond its borders.
The Bell Huey II was manufactured by Bell Textron Aerospace company, a subsidiary of Textron which is based in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. It is an upgraded version of the Bell UH-1H medium-lift helicopter and is among the fleet of aircraft that the Kenya Air Force operates.
The Bell Huey II made its debut in the Vietnam War in 1962, with various roles such as general support, air assault, cargo transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, electronic warfare, and ground attack missions for the US military.
The aircraft can carry up to 14 passengers in its cabin and is equipped with provisions for mission-critical communications and life-saving devices.
Other features include refurbished zero-timed airframes, upgraded engines, drive trains, avionics and rotors. These enhancements improved the aircraft’s hovering abilities and extended the time between overhauls (TBO) for critical components.
It is 17 metres long and 4 metres high. The multi-million chopper has a top cruise speed of 238km/h and often does an average of 209km/h.
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Other countries apart from Kenya operating the Bell Huey II include the US Air Force, the Colombian Air Force, the Philippines Air Force, the Yemeni Airforce and the Ugandan military.
The cause of the crash of the aircraft that killed the Chief of Defence Forces and 9 other occupants is unclear. However, an investigation has already been launched to check on the aspects of the aircraft’s maintenance history and flight conditions at the time.
President William Ruto revealed that Francis Ogolla boarded the Kenya Air Force chopper on Thursday morning, departing from Nairobi.
His itinerary included inspection visits to Chesitet Primary, Cheptulel Boys, Chepoton Primary, KSAA Primary, and Sablimoi Primary as part of his working tour.
At Chesitetin in Baringo, he received a briefing on the security situation from a multi-agency team. Later, he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana, where he addressed troops.
After departing from Kainuk to Chesegon in West Pokot, he launched Cheptulel Boys High School rehabilitation. Later, at 2:20 pm, as he left Chesegon for the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Uasin Gishu to inspect construction facilities, the chopper crashed.