A government probe into the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of General Francis Ogolla, former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has confirmed that the accident was caused by a catastrophic engine malfunction.
The detailed findings were released on Friday, April 11, ruling out weather conditions and aircraft weight as contributing factors to the crash of the Kenya Air Force Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) Helicopter, tail number KAF 1501.
The crash occurred on April 18, 2024, shortly after the aircraft took off from Cheptulel Boys High School in West Pokot County.
“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 official report stated.
Engine Compressor Stall Led to Power Loss
According to the findings of the Board of Inquiry, the crash was triggered by a compressor stall in the engine, which led to a complete power failure mid-air. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang from the engine compartment moments before the helicopter lost control.
“The helicopter suffered an engine compressor stall (surge), consistent with the witness report of a loud bang and over-exceedance of 914°C on the Measured Gas Temperature (MGT) gauge,” the report noted.
Following the stall, the aircraft displayed signs of engine failure including a left yaw, drop in RPM, low RPM audio alarms, and a sudden change in engine noise—evidence that was also corroborated by accident scene reconstruction.
Preventive Measures Underway
Authorities have confirmed that remedial measures are being implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future. These include enhanced engine diagnostics, crew training, and technical assessments of aging airframes within the Kenya Air Force fleet.
General Ogolla’s death was a profound national loss, and the probe’s conclusion offers critical insights into the technical failure behind the fatal incident.
