Chopper crash that killed General Ogolla was caused by engine malfunction, inquiry report says
The report, which was compiled by a Board of Inquiry tasked with investigating the crash, says the crew combination was considered good, and coordination was deemed unlikely to be a contributing factor
President William Ruto on Friday received a report on the helicopter crash that claimed the life of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla.
The report was presented to the Head of State by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya at State House, Nairobi.
Also present were Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri, Vice CDF Lieutenant-General John Omenda, and Kenya Air Force Commander Major-General Fatuma Ahmed.
Based on the facts and evidence gathered, the report concluded that the crash was caused by an engine malfunction.
The Board of Inquiry (BOI), which was formed the same day to probe the crash, concluded that the helicopter experienced an Engine Compressor Stall (Surge), consistent with witness reports of a loud bang and the high engine temperature reading.
This led to a complete power loss, followed by a left yaw, drop in engine RPM, and other indications consistent with engine failure.
“Consequently, Kenya Air Force has updated and reviewed its Standard Operating Procedures to avert future occurrence,” reads the report.
According to the BOI, the crew combination was considered good, and coordination was deemed unlikely to be a contributing factor.
Apart from General Ogolla, other officers who lost their lives in the April 18 crash were Brigadier Swale Saidi – Commander, Combat Engineers Brigade; Colonel Duncan Keittany – Colonel Operations, DHQ; Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe – Staff Officer, Infrastructure, DHQ; Major George Benson Magondu – Pilot; Captain Sora Mohamed – Pilot; Captain Hillary Litali – Aide-de-Camp to CDF; Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi – Flight Technician; Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi – CDF Security; and Sergeant Rose Nyawira – CDF Media.
